Japan Intercultural Intelligence (JII) is dedicated to supporting foreign residents in Japan.
We aim to help them adapt smoothly to Japanese society and facilitate mutual cultural understanding between foreign and local residents.
Recognizing that pregnancy is a transformative journey with unique challenges, particularly for foreign expectant parents navigating a new healthcare system, we hosted our second workshop in English on childbirth and postpartum care on July 13, 2024, at St. Luke’s International University.
Our goal was to equip participants with essential information and practical skills to ease their transition into parenthood in Japan.
This workshop featured the esteemed Professor Yukari Igarashi, a leading expert in multicultural nursing and midwifery.
With 17 pregnant mothers and their partners in attendance, totaling 34 participants, the event fostered a supportive and interactive environment.
We were also honoured to have public health nurses from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Child and Childcare Support Department and Setagaya Ward join us as observers, highlighting the interest and collaborative effort to improve support for international families in Japan.
The workshop was designed to offer a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
Professor Igarashi led the session with practical demonstrations and interactive activities, covering key topics such as recognizing labour signs, managing labour pain, and essential newborn care.
A particularly valuable segment was an informative video on bathing of a newborn which was well-received by attendees. It was very impressive to see the seriousness of participants toward “newborn cares”, which lies just ahead after overcoming the major event as childbirth.
Participants benefited greatly from the resources provided, including English-language booklets and links to relevant informational websites.
These resources were crucial in bridging language barriers and ensuring that participants had access to the necessary information in a comprehensible format.
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many appreciated the warm welcome and the detailed guidance provided throughout the workshop.
One participant highlighted the comfort they felt from the start, noting the ease of navigation from Tsukiji Eki to the workshop venue.
Others expressed their gratitude for the practical insights gained about childbirth in Japan, which helped alleviate their anxieties and prepared them better for their upcoming parenthood journey.
The success of this workshop underscores the significant impact that such initiatives have on foreign expectant parents. By providing tailored support and practical information, we at JII, alongside Professor Igarashi, are working to demystify the childbirth experience in Japan and foster a more inclusive and supportive community for international families.
A heartfelt thank you to Professor Igarashi, our dedicated participants, and the wonderful Otonari-san volunteers who made this event possible.
As we look forward to organizing future workshops, we remain dedicated to refining our programs based on participant feedback and evolving needs.
Our mission is to continue enhancing the support and resources available to foreign expectant mothers and their partners, ensuring that they can embark on their parenting journey in Japan with confidence and ease.
