With the sea on every side, Japan is a leading fishing nation, home to some of the world's most productive fisheries. Various methods have been developed to improve catches, and in recent years new initiatives have been launched to revitalize the fishing industry. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is ocean fishing. Our expert guest is Prof. Osamu Baba from Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. In Plus One, Matt fishes in the mud for "aliens."

The long history of Japanese culture is replete with various forms of traditional music and storytelling, many of which have been featured on Japanology Plus. This time our focus is on joruri, one such traditional performing art. Our guide is a unique practitioner of that art: Stephanie Tomiyasu, an American who trains under one of Japan's leading joruri instructors. Tomiyasu's life in Japan and her position as a foreign joruri practitioner are the subject of our latest Japanophiles edition.