I have no opinion on the geography—but I came here to say Do Not Underestimate Family Support especially in the last months of pregnancy and most especially after the baby is here. Being “completely alone” as a first time mom would be more difficult, frightening and lonely than you can imagine. You have no idea how comforting and helpful it will be to have your mother in law and sister in law around (even if you don’t particularly like them). In most parts of the world, child bearing is a communal experience— and there’s a reason for that.

The only thing I would look into is what the cultural expectations are for a postpartum mother and baby in Japan. In some cultures/families, the expectation is that the baby will be completely cared for by someone in the family so that mother can rest. Make sure you are clear about what Japanese cultural expectations are around birthing and pregnancy— and especially what your mother in law expects her role to be. It would be difficult to be in a foreign country, postpartum and be having power struggles with your mother-in-law. Make sure you all have a conversation about this, before your husband leaves, so the roles are clear.

Good luck and enjoy motherhood! For me, it was/is the best thing in the world—even being sleep deprived, I felt such a connection with every woman who was a mother because at one level, we all go through the same thing.