complication; intricacy; involution; to become complicated; to get entangled
local election; regional elections
reporter assigned to cover a particular person in order to get the most up-to-date information; beat reporter
loan shark; high-interest consumer finance firm
government sources; official quarters
news bureau; press bureau
child on waiting list (kindergarten, school, etc.)
child-rearing assistance; support for young parents; child-care allowance
Constitutional Democratic Party (1927-1940)
national mood; national sentiment; national feeling
person who holds the purse strings; person who minds the cash; safe keeper; treasurer
working one's way up; self-made person; veteran
mottled spinefoot (Siganus fuscescens, species of Western Pacific rabbitfish); dusky rabbitfish; sandy spinefoot
social gathering; informal get-together; colloquium; panel discussion
exceeding the speed limit; speeding
Nagata-chō (Japan's political center; equiv. of Downing Street)
being open but having virtually no business
to expose (a secret, scandal, etc.); to disclose; to uncover; to unmask
special investigation department
gathering evidence (e.g. to back a news story); getting the facts; obtaining supporting evidence
current administration; present government
rival candidate; opposing candidate
prime minister (as the head of a cabinet government); premier
cluster; clique; faction; fan group
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
nursing; nurturing; rearing; lactation; suckling
to hit; to strike; to throw; to toss; to mix; to wear (sword, etc.)
to get; to secure; to learn; to master; to complete
Odaiba (artificial island in Tokyo Bay)
trailing; chasing after; imitation; copy