frequently; often; (staring) fixedly; narrowly; closely
colour printing; color printing
helping each other; supporting each other; mutual cooperation; give and take; reciprocity; interdependence
labour shortage; labor shortage; shortage of workers; shortage of hands
snugly; cosily; compactly
shortsighted; narrow-minded
good old; good old-fashioned
innocent; chaste; naive; pure; unmixed; genuine
Japanese style; light wind; moderate breeze
good old; good old-fashioned
women's group; women's association
plan; scheme; plot; design; project; intention
large; large-sized; large-scale; big
side job; sideline; subsidiary business
head (of organization, organisation); chief; sheikh; emir
special position in the civil service (exempted from application of the Local Public Service Act)
National Personnel Authority
shackles; fetters; irons; bonds (e.g. family); ties; binding relationship
ripple (on water); wavelets; ripple (e.g. of uneasiness); unrest; disturbance
swaying; swinging; rocking; shaking; wavering; flickering
happy tears; tears of joy
agreement; affirmative; aye; yes; OK
cool breeze; refreshing breeze
construction; establishment
accounts section; accounting section
to cut open; to clear (land); to cut (a path, road, etc.); to carve out (a new career, future, etc.); to open up (a new field)
waka; classic Japanese poem, esp. a tanka, often 31 morae
to weaken; to grow weak; to be downcast; to be dejected; to be troubled; to be at a loss
assistant; adjunct; lieutenant
bureaucrat; government official; bureaucracy
rapid economic growth (esp. that of Japan in the post-WWII period)
public corporation; public housing
older employee who does not have much actual work
romanticist; romantic; dreamer
between-meal snack; mid-afternoon (around 3 o'clock) snack; afternoon refreshment; afternoon tea
(electric) torch; flashlight
afternoon refreshment; afternoon tea
moisture; humidity; dampness
retainer; attendant; escort
tobacco; cigarette; cigar; tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum)
total fire ban; no source of ignition permitted; no open flame; flammables!
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects