Greetings
My name is Naoko Matsumoto and I practice pediatrics in Torrance, California, in the Los Angeles area.
There are many Japanese living in this South Bay area where Torrance is located. Some are permanent residents, some will return home in a few years, some have no plans to return, some are married to non-Japanese, and many more. As a pediatrician, I would like to be of some help so that everyone can give birth and raise their children with peace of mind.
I was born and raised in Japan. After working as a pediatrician in Japan, I came to the United States for research purposes. My original plan was to return to Japan after a few years, but I got married and had a baby here, and became a pediatrician in the US.
When I gave birth, I had not yet become a doctor here, so I remember feeling uneasy because I did not understand the medical system. Also, I came to the U.S. alone, and there were many things I did not understand. I think it must be really difficult for those who come to the U.S. with their children to deal with schools, medical care, and so on.
I hope that the presence of a Japanese pediatrician will give you some peace of mind and help your child grow up healthy.