good news; happy news; glad tidings
favorable reception; good reputation; popularity
close; intimate; on good terms
scattered; disperse; loose; disconnected; in pieces; in drops
outside the country; abroad
circumference; girth; tour; pilgrimage; circulation (e.g. of blood)
to take the blame; (lit.) to cover oneself in mud
very highly commended; highly lauded; very well-received; very popular
intention; inclination; mind; idea; wish; view
chance (of success); odds
studying very hard; studying like mad
study; diligence; working hard; experience; knowledge; discount
supremacy (over a nation); hegemony; domination; championship; victory
already completely (did, happened, etc.); already entirely
the year end; end of the year; last days of the year
rich (taste); full-bodied (flavour, flavor); mellow; laid-back (lifestyle); relaxed; comfortable
north wind; northerly wind
department store; department
great success; roaring business; busy; packed-out
to lose heart; to lose interest; to become stale (i.e. of a carbonated beverage); to go flat; to lose focus; to let one's guard down
winter vacation; winter holidays
speech; expression; wording; language
implication; hidden meaning; latitude; atmosphere; tone; sentiment
to take photographs for later use; to record videos for archiving
kotatsu; table over an electric heater, with a hanging quilt to retain heat (orig. over a charcoal brazier in a floor well)
greeting the New Year (on New Year's Eve); welcoming the New Year
negligence; neglect; carelessness; procrastination
commandant; commanding officer; general
to rest; to suspend; to give relief
exaggeration; overstatement; saying too much; misstatement; slip of the tongue; gaffe
case; occasion; situation; circumstances
firmly; solidly; sturdily; strongly; toughly
year-end and New Year holidays (e.g. from December 29 to January 3)
to work; to labor; to function; to operate; to commit (e.g. a crime); to perpetrate
greeting; a fine thing to say
postcard; memo; note; card
postbox; mailbox; post; position; post (e.g. goalpost); post (on a blog, social media, etc.)
first day of the month; the first of the month