Safe food, healty family workshop

Today we finally had our Food and safety workshop with Wanavi people. Nine people participated.
We were all very eager to attend as we were having many concerns about food safety in Japan since the explosion of the nuclear plant in Fukushima.

The workshop was divided in two sessions. The first session was an overall explanation of what the current situation in Japan was. Wanavi explained to us the contaminated areas, the radiation levels and what the government was doing to help (in terms of food testing and such). We were also given explanations about the easily contaminated food and non easily contaminated food.

The second session focused on what we could do to protect ourselves. We were told about places that were safe enough to shop. Moreover we were given tips on how to locate food from contaminated areas or how to ask for the origins of the food.

Overall, it was a very interesting worshop. It was unfortunate that we did not have enough time to go into details about how to shop safely in Japan. Our group felt that it was the area where they wanted more detailed information.

We would like to thank Wanavi for being so helpful and cooperative.

And thank you to Stephanie for opening her house and driving us around. And last but not least, thank you to Anita for driving us as well.

Till next time.

Motoko from Wanavi giving the presentation

Safe Food Healthy family workshop

SSA next activity will be to attend the Safe Food Healthy Family Workshop. The workshop will help us know about the health impacts of radiation exposure. Moreover, participants will learn how to keep their family safe by purchasing the proper and safe food in Japan.

Date: March 6th (Tuesday) 2012
Time:11:00am-14:00pm
Venue: Stephanie's house

Provided by Wa-navi Japan

I hope many of you will attend the workshop as it is crucial we learn more about food safety issues after the earthquake in Japan.

Child care in Yokohama

If you have children under school age (under 3 years old), you may want to check these:

English speaking day care centers and schools in Yokohama area

Griffon academy
http://www.griffonacademy.com

Hand in Hand
http://www.handinhand-cdc.com

Ohana English preschool
http://www.ohana-ep.jp/eng/prg1.html

Treehouse Montessori School
http://www.tms-school.com

Yokohama English preschool
http://www.yepreschool.jp/index_en.html

Yokohama Union Church
http://www.yokohamaunionchurch.org

Hospitals and Doctors

As new comers arrive to Japan, they find themselves looking for doctors who can speak a decent English. Below is a link to some doctors and hospitals in the Tokyo and Yokohama area.

http://www.consultants-japan.com/weblinks/viewcat.cid+54.htm

http://www.realestate-tokyo.com/info/hospital/#Others


As far I am concern, I am using two doctors

Bluff Clinic in Yokohama: They speak English (and there is also a receptionist that speaks French). I find the main doctor a bit cold but he is good at his work. However, he is a general doctor so if you have a specific problem, he may recommend you somewhere else. I like the fact that at the clinic, there is also a dentist with a dvd in front of the consultation chair. My kids can watch a movie while being checked. Moreover they get a small present once they are done. Bluff is the perfect location, 2mns from my son's school. And they provide health checks and American vaccines.

Sato pediatrics: As I have kids, I like to use a pediatrician instead of a general doctor. Sato pediatrics is located near Sankeien garden in Honmoku.The staff does not speak great English but the doctor does. And she is a very sweet lady. As she is Japanese, they are some things that American doctors find necessary that she would not recommend such as vitamins. However, she is very good with the kids and I trust her.

If you would like to add your own review of your own doctor, please let me know.

I hope this will be helpful.


Michelle

Welcome to our new comer from France

SSA Tokyo Chapter coordinator and all its member would like to welcome Lydia Du to our chapter. We wish you and your family a nice stay in Japan. We are looking forward to meeting you in person very soon. In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact us and we would be glad to help you out.