low (level, value, price, etc.)
matter of life or death; life-and-death problem
to pull (the puppet) strings; to direct things from behind the scenes; to stretch out (and keep going); to linger on
last drink (of sake); last glass; last cup
with all due respect; if I may make bold to ask
uneasy; unsure; unreliable; untrustworthy; (arch.) nervous; (arch.) impatient
Japanese company (business, firm)
trusting too much; overestimating ability
defeat; lost battle; losing a war
strength; power; proficiency; ability
development; growth; development (of a situation, story, etc.); advancement; playing around; having an active sex life
to smash; to crush; to shut down; to put out of business; to wreck; to break; to butcher
to leave alone; to leave as is; to ignore; to neglect
to be crushed; to be smashed; to become useless; to cease functioning; to go bankrupt; to go out of business
hah (derisively); pooh; pfft (of something disappearing); poof; huff; puff
to wag one's tail; to flatter; to butter up; to fawn (on)
use; utilization; utilisation; application
clearly; plainly; distinctly; to be clear; to be definite; to be certain
all-out confrontation; total confrontation
fusuma; Japanese sliding screen
to blow against; to spray (paint, etc.) (onto a surface)
public opinion; popular voice; public sentiment; consensus
(political) power; authority; influence
centre; center; pivot; central nervous system
friend; ally; supporter; taking sides with; supporting; standing by
emergency demands; special procurement (particularly in time of war)
rising; ascending; climbing
release; unleashing; liberation; deallocation (of computer memory)
independence; self-reliance
to want; to wish for; to request; to demand; to seek; to search for
to explain; to advocate; to preach; to persuade
effort; exertion; endeavour; endeavor; hard work; striving
fruition; fructification; bearing fruit; bearing fruit (of efforts, plans, etc.); coming to fruition; yielding success
setback; deadlock; standstill; impasse; miscarriage
year; age; years; past one's prime; old age
to mince; to cut fine; to carve; to engrave; to tick away (time); to beat out (e.g. rhythm); to etch (into one's mind)
paying one's own expenses; going into business for oneself; working independently; person who earns their own living
one's heart's desire; one's dearest wish