Immunisation/vaccination in Japan is different from the West – there are important points that you should know, because your Japanese doctor may not. For most long-term parents of children in Japan, there is little to consider – the Japanese government immunises the population against the primary diseases in Japan. Unfortunately, things are not so simple for families who shift to Japan in the first six months after their child’s birth. It’s a fascinating topic, but sometimes a scary one, especially when it involves your own little one. This article will let you know the differences, and the points you need to be wary of.

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How many of you knew that in less than a year, Keisei Railway is going to start a new Skyliner express that will connect Tokyo and Narita Airport in 36 minutes? This will certainly be the fastest way to get to Narita from Tokyo.

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Travelling with a baby is not as much of a hassle as everyone makes it out to be – especially in Japan. You just have to know the tricks! This 3rd article in our gaijin daddy series will help you make the dreaded trip into a dream holiday… well, almost!

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When in the mansions of Tokyo what do you do when you have a rogue neighbour who you just can not get along with? On that annoys you with their mannerisms, one that complains about your kids, one that gives you the shiroime (white eye) look in the elevator when you try to aisatsu, or one that is all of the above (and just plain crazy). This, is what I have.

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Did you sign your current rental agreement at the top of the market and wondering whether or not you should move houses at the end of your current contract? Would you be willing to stay where you are if you to didn’t have to pay an entire months rent (or sometimes two) to your landlord to thank them for renewing your contract?

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It really frustrates me the number of heart-ache stories that I hear from friends who’ve been totally convinced by the Japanese mass media that their breasts aren’t good enough for their babies. Just as depressing are the number of stories that I’ve heard where mothers in Japan who had previously believed that breast is best, have been convinced by their doctors (after only a few weeks of trying) that they’re not making enough milk and switched to formula or a mix of formula and breast milk. Come and take a look at the marketing scandal that inhibits breastfeeding in Japan.

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Are you a new dad in Japan? This is the first installment of a new series of articles from stippy.com on the quirks and perks of bringing up your bi-cultural child in Japan. Why is that something as common as pregnancy could be so unscientific? Furthermore, why is that the “rules” surrounding pregnancy for human beings could be so different across our two countries?

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Has your wife chosen her Obstetrics & Gynecology (Ob/Gy) Doctor in Japan already? Have you met him? Did you go along to help scrutinize him? It’s astounding how different one Doc’s perspective can be to the next.

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Everyone knows that pregnant women should avoid fish and definitely shouldn’t eat raw fish… right? Or at least I thought that was “a given” until I started discussing what my wife and I might eat on our next date in the big smoke. While every English book has numerous warnings peppered across at least 2-3 different chapters of the book telling you that you must reduce your intake of oily fish (example), Japanese books as a rule actively encourage pregnant Mum’s to eat as much fish as they can.

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Thus far, we have two articles about HIV and AIDS in Japan on stippy.com (the first and the second). Another year has passed since we last touched on this issue, but a recent episode in my own life drove home that things still are really not changing fast enough with regard to the blurry awareness of HIV/AIDS in Japan, and the studied nonchalance of the Japanese people whenever the topic arises.

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