state of emergency; emergency; crisis
omen; sign; notice; indication
to use up all one's strength; to die
ringing; throbbing violently
distinction; discrimination; distinguishing; discernment
several weeks; a few weeks
to die out; to peter out; to become extinct; to cease; to be stopped; to be discontinued
if anything; conversely; putting it the other way around; coming at it from the opposite angle
even; if only; if just; as long as; the only thing needed
to worry; to fret; to get anxious
still more; to say nothing of; not to mention; still less
threat; menace; coercion; blackmail
otherwise; or else; if not
shifting the responsibility (for something) on to (someone); passing the buck
exit; way out; outlet; vent
barren; sterile; infertile; unproductive (e.g. discussion); fruitless
going around in circles; circling a temple; roll-call vote
somehow; how; in what way; why; what kind of
school bag (usu. handheld or hung from the shoulder); schoolbag
weight; weight (e.g. of someone's words); burden; importance; significance
to go into; to come into; to penetrate; to become complicated
back seat (of a car); rear seat
briskly; smartly; promptly; clearly; lucidly
exactly; precisely; closely; tightly; properly; without fail
health is wealth; health is your most valuable asset
deadly serious; deadly earnest
to substitute for; to stand in for; to fill in for
preface; introduction; lead in (to a joke, question, etc.); lead up; payment in advance (by bank transfer); swinging (one's body) forward
putting on a brave face; put-on cheeriness; pretending one is fine; show of courage; bravado; Dutch courage
worried look; concerned expression
because; for; the reason why is ...
sole; single; solo; independence; singleness; singularity
city; Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly
arrangement (of resources); deployment; stationing; posting; disposition; configuration
point in common; common feature
within; inside of; less than
symposium; round-table discussion
new star; newcomer; freshman