Cultural Differences Through the Eyes of Women

In the novel “In My Year of Meats,” sexual orientation and fertility are themes that collide within both Japanese and American cultures. In American society, sexuality is an open and commonly discussed topic, while in Japan, sexuality is strictly a private matter. The issue of fertility is important in both cultures, but more important in Japanese culture. Two women, Jane Takagi-Little and Akiko Ueno represent each lifestyle in each culture.

Sexual orientation plays a part in the lives of both women, as well as by representing a deeper sense of the entire story. Jane Takagi-Little is half Caucasian and half Japanese; she is too tall for being a Japanese woman. The abnormal height leads Takagi to follow the representation of a man as others have already labeled her as. She speaks men’s Japanese and cuts her hair short to go with the “polysexual” identification. She changes doesn’t question her sexuality but alters her appearance for it. Takagi tapes show about a lesbian couple and their struggles to establish a family. In American culture, the idea of transsexual marriage is common; the broadcast of their interview on American television would not be a shock. In contrast, the broadcast of the same tape in Japan would cause much fury, as it did to the producer of the show, John Ueno. Regardless, the story of the Lesbians touched a woman across the Pacific, John’s wife, Akiko. Upon watching the show, Akiko questions her own sexuality; she wonders whether she really wants a man and even kisses a girl friend in curiosity. Her thoughts are present but private unlike in American culture. Sexual orientation plays a role in an even deeper matter. The shows that Takagi directs aim to sell beef to the Japanese population. After researching, she comes across information as hormones, specifically DES. This drug is administered to animals to “fatten” them up by enlarging breasts on the males. Upon getting these hormones, the animals also go through their own share of sexual change, but without choice.

Fertility is an issue that causes pain to both women. Takagi was born a DES child; her mother took the drug to make pregnancy easier and the baby healthier. The effects of the drug took toll on Takagi such that she cannot easily conceive a child of her own due to complications of the uterus. Takagi tries to get pregnant with her husband but fails; she finally becomes pregnant with a long time on-and-off lover, only to lose the baby to a miscarriage. Her independent struggle represents the American life. As for Akiko, she is very able to get pregnant but purposely changes her diet so that her body will not allow monthly periods. The doctor tells John Ueno of Akiko’s unwillingness; he is furious for all the times they have tried to have a child. Akiko is made to eat healthier; she hides her periods so that John will not know. Akiko unlike Takagi does not want to get pregnant, but John is desperate to have a child. Regardless of Akiko’s choice, John’s desire overpowers, thus representing the man’s stance in the issue of fertility in Japanese culture. Akiko's husband’s authority represent the Japanese ideology of the role of the man being superior.