Whether it's learning about a traditional custom, or a newly popular sport, people in Japan love to take lessons and develop a skill. It's estimated that there are 86,000 such classes being offered in Japan right now. Courses held before or after the workday are in particularly high demand. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is Lessons for Life. Our expert guest is Sachiko Yamaguchi, a freelance writer who reports on various classes. And in Plus One, a diorama-making lesson.

およそ８万６０００もの講座がある習い事大国・日本。その市場規模は１兆円を超え、４０００万人以上の人が習い事に励んでいるという。中でも最近注目なのは　社会人の習い事。仕事の疲れも忘れて会社帰りに習い事を行う人や、通勤前の時間を有効利用して習い事を行う人などさまざま。その行動の裏には日本人独特の文化や気質があった。番組では数々の習い事を取材してきた専門家と共に、習い事と日本人の結びつきに迫る。