1. Tamanna Hye

2. Safety Japan: very safe country overall for women Police boxes are located all over Harassment does occur: just be firm Intense displays of negative emotions upset “harmony” Groping on trains sometimes happens

3. 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,

4. Clothes Japanese women tend to be smaller than Western women Teenagers 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 asset Don’t feel awful if you cannot find clothes or bras that fit Larger cities have lots of department stores to shop in

5. Hair Hair loss, brittleness, lack in softness is common Water is different Shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments widely available Going to a salon: check that they speak English, find out where they’ve been trained, ask how many foreign clients they’ve had

6. Health care system Things 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 buy Teeth can deteriorate due to the water & toothpaste content Use only bottled water for drinking & brushing teeth (recommended)

7. Gynecology All hospitals have gynecology depts: try the larger ones Check with ward office for public health centers: free breast, cervical examinations STDs: always use a condom, readily available throughout Japan Free AIDS tests offered at public health centers (should be anonymous)

8. Contraception The pill Diaphragms IUDs Withdrawal The rhythm method Emergency contraception (as soon as possible; doctor likely to make you wait until you know you are pregnant)

9. Menstruation Bring plenty from home when you first arrive Japanese women: pads more popular than tampons “Glad Rags”: washable & reusable product Pain relief: OTC medicine available

10. Relationships Easy to make friends with foreigners & Japanese Have a wide variety of friends, not only other JETs Japanese women: close, supportive, loyal, helpful

11. Being Single Being single is a matter of choice Incorporating relationship in Japan is overwhelming Japanese men not attractive (?), physically smaller than Western women Western men prefer relationships with Japanese women

12. Being in a Relationship Coming to Japan together Long-distance relationships: frequent contact is important Insecurity: Japan is still male-oriented society Japanese 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

13. My contact details Tamanna chandrikantha@yahoo.com (917) 957-4607 Have a wonderful time and enjoy your experience!