promise; agreement; arrangement; something expected or predictable (e.g. running gag); typical or clichéd development (in a story); something considered obligatory or guaranteed (in a certain situation)
disagreeable; detestable; unpleasant; reluctant
(it won't be possible) on such short notice
swiftly; rapidly; suddenly; abruptly; sharply (of a slope, bend, etc.); steeply
until now; so far; up to the present
three times; thrice; third (musical interval); many times; over and over again
talk; speech; topic; subject; discussions; negotiation; rumor
to refuse; to reject; to inform; to give notice; to ask leave; to excuse oneself (from)
Japanese person; Japanese people
still; much more; (not) yet; still a long way to go; still a long way off; not there yet
high; tall; expensive; high-priced; high (level); above average (in degree, quality, etc.)
(Japanese) system of lifetime employment
to collapse; to crumble; to get out of shape; to lose one's shape; to break down; to be thrown into disarray; to crash (stock market)
at this stage; at this point; now (contrasting with the past)
once; one time; temporarily; for a moment; one degree; one tone
belonging to (a group, organization, etc.); affiliation (with); being attached to; being under the control of
organization; organisation; structure; construction; system (e.g. railroad, transport, party, etc.); tissue; texture (of a rock)
to slip out; to sneak away; to break into the lead; to get ahead; to begin to fall out (e.g. hair); to break out (of a loop)
human being; human; person; character (of a person)
minority group (party); minority
much less; to say nothing of
when it comes to ...; where ... is concerned; if it's the case that ...; if it turns out that ...; if it's true that ...
retirement age; (arch.) years of service in a military rank before eligibility for promotion
near; neighbourhood; nearly (e.g. "it took nearly one year"); close to; shortly; soon
as it is; as one likes; because; condition; state
to pass (time); to spend; to overdo (esp. of one's alcohol consumption); to drink (alcohol); (arch.) to take care of; (arch.) to support
nicely; properly; frequently; often; I'm glad that you ...; thank you for ...
please (give me); please (do for me)
to change; to alter; to transform; to reform; to revise; to amend
time; hour; period; class
why?; what for?; how?; by what means?
most suitable; optimum; optimal; best
offer; tender; providing; sponsoring (a TV program)
starting point; origin; origin (of coordinate axes); datum point
today; this day; these days; recently; nowadays
largest company; industry leader
to ask; to inquire; to implore (a god for an oracle); to seek direction (from your superior); to visit; to speak to (a large crowd at a theatre, etc.)
(private) secretary; treasured book; secret book
to pass; to elapse; to pass through; to go through; to experience; to go through
changing (job, career, lifestyle, social position, beliefs, etc.)