Japan is often hit by disaster. When tragedy strikes, special rescue teams swing into action. Japan's special rescue teams are among the world's best-equipped, best-trained, and most experienced. They have the capabilities to respond rapidly to any type of emergency. This time on Japanology Plus, we look at how special rescue teams save lives in Japan. Our expert guest, Masayuki Kikuchi, is a photojournalist with a special interest in crisis management. And in Plus One, Matt Alt to the rescue!

Fernando Lopez, originally from Guatemala, runs an okonomiyaki restaurant in Hiroshima. Made on a hot griddle, okonomiyaki from western Japan resembles a thin crepe loaded with cabbage, pork, soba noodles and other savory ingredients. A special sauce is brushed on top to complete this Japanese soul food. Hiroshima is a place people all over Japan associate with good okonomiyaki. Because of this, competition is fierce, but Lopez's restaurant is one of the most popular in town, and one menu item in particular features a spicy twist.