to ascertain; to make sure of; to determine; to probe; to get to the bottom (of something)
trend; tendency; movement; attitude
careful; cautious; prudent; discreet; deliberate
something worthy of comparison; something being compared
indicates word or phrase being defined; used for quoting (thoughts, speech, etc.); with; (not) as much as; (not) so much as; the fact that
tendency; trend; inclination
declining birth rates; decrease in the number of children
so far; up to now; hitherto; that's enough (for today); it ends here
announcement; publication; presenting; statement; communique; making known
than; from; out of; except; but; more
countermeasures to the falling birthrate
called; named; as many as; as much as; all ...; every single ...
(a) little; (a) few; slight; only; just; merely
to match (rhythm, speed, etc.); to join together; to unite; to face; to be opposite (someone); to compare; to check with
prefectures (of Japan); largest administrative divisions of Japan: Tokyo-to, Osaka-fu, Kyoto-fu, Hokkaido and the remaining prefectures
everything; all; the whole; entirely; completely; wholly
to give birth; to bear (child); to lay (eggs); to produce; to yield; to give rise to
terrific; staggering; tremendous; frightful; ghastly; horrific
person; someone; human beings; mankind; human (Homo sapiens); (other) people; others
some time ago; recently; lately; last (Sunday, etc.); previous
to think (about, of); to think over; to consider; to bear in mind; to think (that); to believe; to intend (to do)
a little; a bit; just a minute; for a moment; somewhat; rather; (not) easily
something like ...; things like ...; someone like ...; the likes of ...
liked; well-liked; in love (with); loved; faddism; eccentricity
double; twice (as much); times (as much); -fold; 1-nth; 1 to n
come; come now; well; who knows; well now; let's see
huh?; eh?; what?; oh; hey!; look!
just; right; pure; genuine; truth
again; once more; also; too; on the other hand; while; and
so; therefore; accordingly; like I said; I told you already
after all; because; but; even; too; as well
seems; I think; I guess; don't you agree?; I thought you'd say that!