What reason might lead some Japanese women to avoid epidurals during childbirth?

Many Japanese women may avoid epidurals during childbirth because they view pain as an important preparation for motherhood. In this cultural context, experiencing pain during labor is often perceived as a natural part of the birthing process that contributes to the transition into motherhood. This belief is rooted in traditional perspectives on childbirth, which often emphasize the strength and resilience of women. The idea is that enduring the pain of labor can enhance the emotional and psychological connection to the experience of bringing a child into the world.

Other factors might influence the decision to avoid epidurals, but they are not as strongly entrenched in cultural attitudes as the perspective that pain is a rite of passage. Concerns about bad luck or high costs, as well as fears regarding the potential harm to the baby, may exist but do not have the same foundational role in shaping the views of pain and childbirth within this cultural framework.