日本語
English
नेपाली
At JII, we are working to make it easier for foreign residents to become familiar with Japanese society.
We provide the necessary support to help foreign residents smoothly integrate into Japanese society and promote mutual understanding between them and the local Japanese community.
The first experience of "pregnancy" is a significant challenge in life that you have never faced before.
This is especially true for foreign expectant mothers and fathers who are giving birth in a healthcare environment that is unfamiliar to them.
For such expectant mothers and fathers, on July 13, 2024, we held the second "Childbirth and Postpartum Workshop" in English at St. Luke’s International University!
This workshop aims to provide essential information and practical skills related to becoming a parent in Japan, covering childbirth and the postpartum period.
The instructor was once again Professor Yukari Igarashi from St. Luke’s International University, an expert in cross-cultural nursing.
The session was conducted in a format that allowed all participants to engage and interact.
This time, we had 17 pregnant women and their partners, totaling 34 participants.
Public health nurses from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Child and Child-Rearing Support Division and Setagaya Ward visited to explore potential collaboration in improving support for foreign families in Japan.
Professor Igarashi's workshop offers a comprehensive curriculum covering childbirth and postpartum knowledge, designed to provide participants with a practical learning experience.
We covered essential points for navigating childbirth and the postpartum period, such as "What is labor?", "How to cope with contractions", and "Basic care for newborns", incorporating demonstrations and hands-on practice.
In particular, the video of Professor Igarashi's "Bathing Instruction for Newborns" strongly captured the participants' interest. It was impressive to see the serious expressions of expectant mothers and fathers regarding "newborn care," which comes right after the major event of childbirth.
Additionally, participants were provided with English booklets and a collection of links to access related information online.
It has been highly praised for being practical from the perspective of foreigners who find it difficult to understand Japanese, as it allows them to access necessary information in a "comprehensible language" and in a "concise" manner.
Participants provided very positive feedback, mentioning the warm hospitality and thorough lectures!
"It was easy to get from Tsukiji Station to the venue, and the experience was comfortable right from the moment I accessed the venue."
By gaining practical insights into childbirth in Japan, my anxieties have eased, and I feel mentally prepared for the parenting journey ahead.
This workshop provided a valuable experience for expectant foreign parents, reinforcing the importance of such opportunities.
We at JII and Professor Igarashi are committed not only to deepening foreign families' understanding of childbirth circumstances in Japan by providing necessary support and practical skills, but also to creating an open community that can empower their daily lives.
We sincerely thank Professor Igarashi, all the participants, and the Otonari-san volunteers who supported the operation.
Thanks to all of you, this event was a great success!
In preparation for the next workshop, we will strive to improve the program based on feedback and changes in needs from participants.
We hope to provide even more comprehensive support and resources so that foreign expectant parents can raise their children in Japan with confidence and peace of mind.
