habitat isolation; compartmentalization; segregation; isolation
rowing; paddling (by hand)
false labeling; false advertising
to attempt; to test; to try out
downsizing by laying off part-time and temp. workers
aquarium fish; ornamental fish
entomophagy; insect eating
war experience; experience of war; memories of war
to throw down the drain; to waste
working at home; telecommuting
drying a futon (by hanging it outside in the sun)
good-natured; of good character
period of rapid growth (especially Japan's period of rapid economic growth after WWII)
karintō (sugar-coated cookie made from fried dough)
restaurant industry; restaurant business; catering industry
readership; target audience (of a magazine)
expressive person (e.g. in musical performance)
temporary staff recruitment agency; employment agency
bracken-starch dumpling; type of dumpling traditionally made using bracken starch
small token of one's sentiments; just slightly; only a bit
great writer; major writer
good wife and wise mother
under construction; in preparation
ferocious; fierce; truculent; savage
work experience; work history
a woman's natural inclination to care for others; big-sisterly disposition
resigning from a company on marriage (of a woman)
chazuke; cooked rice with green tea poured on it
early shift; morning shift; early arrival
temporary employee (esp. from an agency); temporary worker; agency temp
fabric softener; fabric conditioner
dirt cheap; super cheap; bargain-priced
to comfort one another; to offer each other consolation
going out (before burning completely); dying out; fizzling out (e.g. of a plan); falling through; coming to nothing
as expected (positive events); as hoped for