One of us has been keeping a secret. Perhaps you already guessed? Let’s chat about being pregnant and having a baby in Japan. If it’s a tricky topic for you, feel free to skip and we’ll see you next time with a different theme!

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at conbinicultpod@gmail.com

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words

なめる nameru - to lick or suck

セーター sētā - sweater, jumper

産休 sankyuu - maternity leave

育休 ikukyuu - childcare leave

正社員 seishain - regular/permanent employee

社会保険 shakaihoken - social insurance

雇用契約 koyoukeiyaku - employment contract

業務委託契約 gyoumuitaku keiyaku - outsourcing agreement, subcontracting arrangement

専業主婦 sengyoushufu/ 主婦 shufu - housewife

年休 nenkyuu - yearly paid vacation

危ない abunai - dangerous

考え方 kangae kata - way of thinking

マグロ maguro - tuna

出来ちゃった結婚 dekichatta kekkon - shotgun wedding, marriage due to unintended pregnancy 

デキ婚 dekikon ^ shorter version of the above

不明 fumei - unknown, uncertain

婚姻届 kon'in todoke - marriage registration

戸籍謄本 kosekitouhon - family registry

里帰り出産 satogaerishussan - going back to one’s hometown to give birth

立会い tachiai - presence, observer, witness

立会い分娩 tachiai bunben - childbirth with the father of the child present

References:

'Maternity leave cookies' spark online storm in Japan over lack of consideration: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240429/p2a/00m/0li/020000c

About maternity/paternity leave: 

https://japan-dev.com/blog/paternity-maternity-leave-japan

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15008881#:~:text=By%20EISHI%20KADO/%20Staff%20Writer,decide%20to%20take%20maternity%20leave?

Reddit:

“Refusing maternity leave because of less than 12 month contract? Is this even legal?” 

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1f9z15y/refusing_maternity_leave_because_of_less_than_12/ 

“Bill dispute with the maternity clinic”
https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/uaoa6f/bill_dispute_with_maternity_clinic/

Update: https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/uc0clg/update_billing_dispute_with_materinity_clinic/ 

“The nightmare of giving birth in Japan”https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/15dhh0m/the_nightmare_of_giving_birth_in_japan/ 

Part 2 https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/15puh38/the_nightmare_of_giving_birth_in_japan_part_2/ 

“My boss told me that our company does not allow maternity leave…” 

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/un556f/my_boss_told_me_that_our_company_does_not_allow/ (top comment is very helpful)

“Maternity/Paternity leave rights and explanations” (posted 10 years ago)

https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/31tomw/maternitypaternity_leave_and_family_care_leave/ 

“Cost breakdown of my wife’s delivery” https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/t96475/cost_breakdown_of_my_wifes_delivery_%E6%84%9B%E8%82%B2%E7%97%85%E9%99%A2_with/ 

Pregnancy and your rights in Japan: https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1bxvrqp/pregnancy_and_your_rights_in_japan/

Time stamps

00:00 the big reveal

4:55 pocket translator went rogue

8:51 intro/disclaimers

10:43 maternity leave cookies

16:43 maternity vs childcare leave (reddit)

21:56 - bill dispute with clinic (reddit)

29:23 - nightmare experience (reddit)

39:18 - company doesn’t allow maternity leave (reddit)

43:01 - paternity leave

49:43 - cost breakdown (reddit)

56:18 - weight gain limit

59:51 - eating sushi?

1:02:36 maternity badge, priority seats

1:08:49 going to the gym

1:10:17 visitors for 1 hour per day

1:11:12 shotgun weddings

1:14:06 government support

1:15:01 hometown birth without father

1:17:17 customs Japan doesn’t have