descent; fall; drop; passing down (of an order, decree, etc.)
technical skill; ability; capacity
group; bunch; crowd; group
I'm told; is what I heard; is how it is, apparently; is what they said
motorcycle; motorbike; bicycle
reaching; attaining; arrival
such; like that; in that way
splendid; magnificent; gorgeous
to begin to walk; to set out
lunch break; noon recess; noon rest period
disaster countermeasures office (temporary structure in case of emergency); headquarters for disaster control; disaster response headquarters
committee; commission; board; panel; committee meeting
careful consideration; deliberation; thinking over carefully
in good health; alive and well; going strong
even assuming that ...; even granted that ...
falling far short (of); being far behind; being far inferior (to); being no match (for)
to continue (for a long time); to occur in succession; to come next (e.g. on TV)
operation; management; handling; manipulating (to one's benefit); manipulation; influencing
lunch; midday meal; food served at a tea party (tea ceremony)
several times; a few times
unable to leave the work at hand; right in the middle of something; tied up; busy
opening (one's mouth) wide; saying "aah"; crying loudly; wailing; bawling
weekly publication; weekly magazine
to expose (a secret, scandal, etc.); to disclose; to uncover; to unmask
not caring; not giving a damn
to stop talking; to be silent
town; city; municipal; urban
the capital city (often Tokyo) area (typically within 50 km of city's centre) (center)
draft papers; callup notice
to ascend; to go up; to ascend (as a natural process, e.g. the Sun); to rise; to go to (the capital); to be promoted; to add up to
to hold one's breath (in fear, anxiety, etc.)