Women’s Issues SeminarTamanna Hye

SafetyJapan: very safe country overall for womenPolice boxes are located all over Harassment does occur: just be firmIntense displays of negative emotions upset

“harmony”Groping on trains sometimes happens

Food Kitchens: two gas rings and small grill

Shopping: fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat

Imported/organic food: bit more expensive but available in specialized shops, supermarkets, mail-order stores

Eating out: only marginally more expensive than cooking

Many kinds of restaurants “Viking”: all you can eat “Coin”: pay machine, choose dish “Sit down and order”: regular restaurants

Japanese food very healthy for women: seaweed/sea vegetables, turnip, tofu, miso soup, Japanese green tea,

ClothesJapanese women tend to be smaller than

Western womenTeenagers are taller and curvier If you start comparing yourself, remember:

Most Japanese women wish they had a figure like yours

Large eyes are a huge assetDon’t feel awful if you cannot find clothes or

bras that fitLarger cities have lots of department stores

to shop in

Hair Hair loss, brittleness, lack in softness is

commonWater is differentShampoos, conditioners, hair treatments

widely availableGoing to a salon: check that they speak

English, find out where they’ve been trained, ask how many foreign clients they’ve had

Health care systemThings to take when you visit a doctor: alien

registration card, health insurance certificate (if you have one)

Taking care of your teeth: 50% of toothpastes have fluoride so check before you buyTeeth can deteriorate due to the water &

toothpaste contentUse only bottled water for drinking & brushing

teeth (recommended)

GynecologyAll hospitals have gynecology depts: try the

larger onesCheck with ward office for public health

centers: free breast, cervical examinationsSTDs: always use a condom, readily available

throughout JapanFree AIDS tests offered at public health

centers (should be anonymous)

ContraceptionThe pillDiaphragmsIUDsWithdrawalThe rhythm methodEmergency contraception (as soon as

possible; doctor likely to make you wait until you know you are pregnant)

MenstruationBring plenty from home when you first arriveJapanese women: pads more popular than

tampons“Glad Rags”: washable & reusable productPain relief: OTC medicine available

RelationshipsEasy to make friends with foreigners &

JapaneseHave a wide variety of friends, not only other

JETsJapanese women: close, supportive, loyal,

helpful

Being SingleBeing single is a matter of choiceIncorporating relationship in Japan is

overwhelmingJapanese men not attractive (?), physically

smaller than Western womenWestern men prefer relationships with

Japanese women

Being in a RelationshipComing to Japan togetherLong-distance relationships: frequent contact

is importantInsecurity: Japan is still male-oriented societyJapanese partner: learn communication style

of your partner & his culture, be honest with yourself as to whether or not you can accept him & live within the rules of the culture

My contact detailsTamannachandrikantha@yahoo.com(917) 957-4607

Have a wonderful time and enjoy your experience!