Secondary schools in Japan offer extracurricular pursuits where students join sports teams, or clubs reflecting a wide range of cultural interests. Here, they learn values like cooperation and social etiquette: fundamental aims of Japanese schooling. This time on Japanology Plus, we explore afterschool activities and why Japanese students put so much effort into them. Our expert guest, Atsushi Nakazawa, studies education and the sociology of sports. And in Plus One, the key role of club captain.

No traditional Japanese home is complete without items that incorporate paper, including doors and sliding screens. Japanese papermaking technology continues to advance in the form of high-tech tissues and even "paper" that is stronger than steel. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is paper. Our expert guest is Naohiko Tsujimoto, who spent 25 years at a papermaking company before devoting himself to spreading awareness of Japan's paper culture. And in Plus One, how to repaper a shoji screen.