Japan, like the rest of the developed world, has taken a serious shine to online shopping. 3.9 billion home deliveries were made in 2016 alone, and that volume doesn't show any signs of slowing down. Japan's wholehearted embrace of online shopping is fueled, in part, thanks to the country's efficient shipping infrastructure, in which next-day delivery is the norm. Hit the streets in Japan and you're bound to spot uniformed men and women delivering packages by truck, scooter, bicycle, and on foot with speed and dedication that may surprise those from other countries. But the ever-increasing number of packages is putting strain on these workers and the logistics that support them. On this edition of Japanology Plus, we take a look at the system as it exists and some of the new ideas that will be needed to keep it running in the future.

In winter, many parts of Japan accumulate massive amounts of snow. While the snow generates significant challenges in daily life, roads, railways, and airports generally keep functioning. This time on Japanology Plus our theme is snow removal. We see ways to tackle the snow and keep everyday life running smoothly throughout the winter. Our guest is Natsuo Numano, who has studied and written about snow-related matters. And in Plus One, safe ways to get snow off a roof.