Irony is so 90s, but it happened to me last weekend.
:: Nov 13, 04:42 PM

It was the one of those situations where my shoddy Japanese had failed me. A trip to the obgyn.

Housed in a brand spanking, swanky, new building just four minutes away from my apartment, I was very much looking forward to my adventure. When I got there, I was given a card with my name and a number on it to stick into a machine that connects to an automated calling system involving a screen with revolving images of cherry blossoms, patient numbers and pleasant music. Once this system displays your number, you are to proceed into the deeper atrium of the waiting room. Contrary to my experiences in the states of going to the obgyn, I was only one of the very few non-pregnant women (and, I suspect there were women who weren’t showing among the few that I considered – plus the others who were probaby there to get In Vitro).

The place was immaculately FEMININE – like you were in a really Pledge®’d-out ovary. With pink tones and gold accents. Coffee and tea abound, I felt more like I was there for a luxury spa treatment than my annual obgyn exam.

After being called into a less feminine, familiar exam room, the nurse asked me what I was there for. I said an annual exam… I was met with no response. Sensing that perhaps there was NO such thing as an annual exam in Japan, I proceeded to explain – “you know, checking for cancer, bacteria, pap smears, etc.” After listing a bunch of things, she whipped out a pamphlet with the words “Bridal Check” on it while informing me “This package is 30,000 yen (close to $300). Are you getting married?!” I was a bit shocked and frustrated and blurted out “No, no! I am NOT getting married and I just want a normal check.”

I caught myself. I was being Eurocentric…

I had used the word normal.

While trying to get over the fact that perhaps Japanese women only get a complete exam of their reproductive organs if they get married and that my Japanese SUCKS, I was politely herded back out to the waiting area. Nervously contemplating what weird notes she had made on my file, I was called back into another room, this time, with a doctor waiting.

With my inability to describe my concerns surrounding my reproductive organs, I had mentioned that I used to get annual exams. And the following conversation ensued:

Doctor: “Where?” (in Japanese)
Me: “America.” (in Japanese)
Doctor: “Are you American?” (in Japanese)
Me: (fearing complications with insurance) “Yes… I mean… I have both citizenships. Japanese and American.” (in Japanese)
Doctor: “Are your parents Japanese?” (in Japanese)
Me: “Yes.” (in Japanese)
Doctor: Not satisfied with my answer, asks, “What language do you feel most comfortable speaking?” (in Japanese)
Me: “English.” (in Japanese)
Doctor: “OK. I can speak English. Please tell me what you are here for today.” (in English)

And with this breakthrough, I had learned from him, that people do not commonly get check-ups at obgyns. However, pap smears, tests to check for bacterial and sexually transmitted diseases and a sonogram to detect any unusual growths or cancers are all covered by insurance. Out of my pocket, he said it should all cost 4,700 yen (about $45). In the states, lab fees would easily surpass this rate twice over.

I want to grab a hold of every woman on the train and tell her to take advantage of this.

Irony is so 90s, but it happened to me last weekend.

In a country where cultural taboos prevent women from getting regular checkups, insurance is fact.
In a country where culture demands its citizens to be aware of their sexual health, insurance is (often) fiction.

1. Yoko~ I was so sleepy at work and happened to think about your blog. Now I’m all awake after unexpectedly seeing your ovary photos! I suppose Dr. told you you & your eggs are all healthy?

   — Chie    Nov 16, 10:52   

2. As long as your plumbing works without a hitch, consider yourself blessed!!

   — Lakshman Srinivasan    Nov 18, 14:54   

3. Dammit woman! Scrap the eggs & bacon for breakfast, I want (unfertilized) Eggs & Pee!

   — Anders    Nov 22, 00:59