u/Competitive_Gold3185

Hi everyone! I’m hoping to hear from people who have had a high-risk pregnancy/ birth in Japan.

I had my first daughter in the US, where my pregnancy was high risk. I developed gestational hypertension and eventually preeclampsia, needed weekly ultrasounds toward the end of my pregnancy, took low-dose aspirin, and ultimately needed magnesium sulfate during delivery. I also had an epidural.

I’m now in Japan and prepping for baby #2, but I’m pretty nervous about having my first pregnancy in Japan.

Since moving here, I’ve had a few experiences with the healthcare system. I’m very grateful for how affordable it is, but honestly, I’ve also been surprised by how different the level of care has felt compared with what I was used to in the US. For example, I’ve had appointments where vitals weren't taken and I was seen for only a few minutes before being sent home and feeling dismissed by the doctor. Because of my previous pregnancy complications, that makes me nervous about being proactive enough with monitoring.

I’ve also heard that epidurals aren’t as commonly available here, which is another concern.

For anyone who has had a high-risk pregnancy in Japan, how was your experience? Did you feel like your doctor/hospital was proactive about monitoring you? Did you choose a larger hospital or perinatal center? How did you find the right hospital? Were epidurals available if you wanted one? Is there anything you wish you had known or done before getting pregnant?

I’d especially love recommendations for hospitals in the Nagoya area but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experiences anywhere in Japan.

Thanks so much!

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With the recent changes to permanent residency and visa rules, I’ve seen a lot of discussion about whether foreigners are being made a convenient scapegoat for problems that are actually much deeper and more structural.

I’m curious what people here think the real problems Japan is facing are, beyond immigration.

What changes do you think would genuinely improve Japan’s economy and quality of life?

I’m interested in hearing what you think Japan should be focusing on to address its underlying problems.

Hi everyone. I'm hoping to hear from people who have direct experience with this situation, especially anyone who has dealt with family court petitions, koseki issues, or dual U.S.-Japanese citizenship.

I'm a U.S. citizen living in Japan, and my daughter is almost two years old. She has both Japanese and U.S. citizenship and was born in the United States. Her middle name appears on her U.S. birth certificate, her U.S. passport, her Japanese passport, and her koseki.

Her middle name is important to me, and I don't want to remove it from her U.S. records because I consider it an important part of her identity and family background. However, I'm wondering whether it would be possible to remove it only from her Japanese records.

Part of the reason I'm considering this is that I've heard accounts from some mixed-race Japanese people and international families describing difficulties with things such as apartment applications, banking procedures, employment, school registration, and other situations where a middle name immediately identified them as having a foreign background. I realize experiences differ from person to person, but I'd like to understand what options might exist if my daughter decides to remain in Japan long term.

Has anyone successfully done this? Was a petition to the family court required? What reasons were given? Was an attorney necessary, or were you able to do it yourself? I'd prefer to handle the process myself, if possible, rather than hire an attorney, although I'd also be grateful to hear from any attorneys who might have experience with this.

Thank you!

Hi everyone.

I'm hoping to hear from people who have direct experience with this situation, especially anyone who has dealt with family court petitions, koseki issues, or dual U.S.-Japanese citizenship.

I'm a U.S. citizen living in Japan, and my daughter is almost two years old. She has both Japanese and U.S. citizenship and was born in the United States. Her middle name appears on her U.S. birth certificate, her U.S. passport, her Japanese passport, and her koseki.

Her middle name is important to me, and I don't want to remove it from her U.S. records because I consider it an important part of her identity and family background. However, I'm wondering whether it would be possible to remove it only from her Japanese records.

Part of the reason I'm considering this is that I've heard accounts from some mixed-race Japanese people and international families describing difficulties with things such as apartment applications, banking procedures, employment, school registration, and other situations where a middle name immediately identified them as having a foreign background. I realize experiences differ from person to person, but I'd like to understand what options might exist if my daughter decides to remain in Japan long term.

Has anyone successfully done this? Was a petition to the family court required?What reasons were given? Was an attorney necessary, or were you able to do it yourself? I'd prefer to handle the process myself, if possible, rather than hire an attorney, although I'd also be grateful to hear from any attorneys who might have experience with this.

Thank you