Examines effects of school pressure on Japanese adolescents, focusing on cram schools ("juku") and extracurricular activities. Finds that adolescents experience negative emotional states in these activities. Adolescents have little residual free time, mostly spent in passive, recuperative activities, providing few opportunities for creativity and meaning. Considers whether government efforts to increase the amount of more meaningful leisure by reducing the school-week to 5 days will have its intended effect. (KB)