日本語
English
नेपाली
At JII, we are working to help foreign residents better integrate into 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 expectant moms and dads, we held the 2nd "Childbirth and Postpartum Workshop" in English on July 13, 2024, 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 is Professor Yukari Igarashi, an expert in intercultural nursing from St. Luke’s International University.
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.
At JII, we, along with Professor Igarashi, are dedicated to providing the necessary support and practical skills to help foreign families gain a deeper understanding of childbirth in Japan. Our goal is to create an open community that empowers their lives.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Igarashi, all the participants, and the Otonari-san volunteers who supported the event.
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.
