yakitori; chicken pieces (or sometimes beef or pork offal) grilled on a skewer; grilled and skewered bird (esp. sparrow); failing to win a single hand during a half-game
superintendent of education
there being no backing out; gone too far to retreat
continuing one's education into high school
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; MEXT
to have a cross to bear; to carry a heavy burden
first year of junior high school; first-year junior high school student
mottled spinefoot (Siganus fuscescens, species of Western Pacific rabbitfish); dusky rabbitfish; sandy spinefoot
junior high school graduate; middle school graduate
outsider's perspective; as seen by an observer
great depth; bottomless; great height
fact-finding survey based on interviews; oral survey; interview survey
problematical statement; controversial statement
shut-in; stay-at-home; hikikomori; social withdrawal; shunning other people
to stay indoors; to be confined indoors
this place; where one comes from; here
revolutionary (e.g. technology)
remote mountain; mountain recesses
high spirits; high energy; go!; go-man-go!; fashionably clothed and assertive (esp. of a woman); flashy
public commitment; public promise; campaign pledge; official vow
contortion; distortion; warp; kink (in one's character); twist
(temporary) closure of school
rescue worker; emergency rescue team member; ambulance attendant; paramedic
a matter for the police; a brush with the law
sakaki (species of evergreen sacred to Shinto, Cleyera japonica); evergreen (esp. one planted or used at a shrine)
the Emperor; His Majesty; the government; the authorities; proprietress; hostess
truancy; school non-attendance
class teacher; homeroom teacher; form teacher