Reply #194: I found the system to be antiquated and the physicians not as

[oregonjen]

knowledgeable. I know of a few Americans married to Japanese over there that preferred to come back to the states for medical care. I'm not the only one. Also, the view of childbirth and having husbands with the wives in the delivery room (tachiai-bunben) is still back in the 50's. I had to beg with my ob to have my husband with me and even with promises he could be there, was not allowed in until after my daughter was born. I'm still upset with that. I think the health system is okay over there, but maybe 20 years behind the US regarding style of care and knowledge. I went to local clinics, in Yokohama, not huge hospitals that are in big cities. That may be the reason. Even still, during my stay in Osaka, I was in a hospital that was not clean. Yuck! That is just my two cents worth. Someone else may think differently. I lived over there for 5 1/2 years altogether, single, then married.