Japan is a world leader in utilizing underground space, and that's exemplified by its network of underground shopping streets. There are around 80 of these subterranean shopping centers across the country, selling the goods and services that Japanese people need in their daily lives. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is underground shopping streets. Our guest is Yu Hiroi, an expert on urban disaster mitigation. And in Plus One, we visit Japan's oldest surviving underground shopping street.

Over the centuries, Japan has suffered from repeated outbreaks of diseases like smallpox, measles and cholera. Where did the people of the past think these epidemics came from? And how did they cope? Our theme this time is Japan vs. Epidemics. Our main guest is Yamamoto Satomi, an art historian. She explains historical attitudes to disease by examining works of art, and the characters they feature. We also take a look at a contemporary social media trend.

Japan's libraries are cornerstones of their communities. Besides loaning out books, they promote local culture, support young people and offer a place to relax. This time, our theme is libraries. Our main guest, Professor Tamura Shigeru of the University of Nagano, talks about how they have evolved in recent years, in response to demographic and legal changes. And in Plus One, we take a look at some unusual regional libraries.