surrounding countries; neighboring countries; neighbouring countries
sprout; shoot; bud; germinal disk (in an egg)
able; capable; competent; talented; efficient
coming to a head; coming to the surface; becoming an issue; breaking
to take measures (in face of events being anticipated); to come to an agreement (in bargaining, etc.); to strike a bargain; to clap one's hands together
surveillance system; monitoring system
violence; oppression; high-handedness; tyranny; despotism
achievement; feat; meritorious deed; distinguished service
improper; inappropriate; unjust; unfair; unreasonable
end; tip; extremities; terminal
construction; building; putting up; erecting; creation; formulation
supremacy; predominance; being superior to
revision (of a rule, price, etc.); alteration; change
thoughtless; reckless; rash; excessive; unreasonable; immoderate
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
disadvantage; handicap; drawback; inadvisability; inexpediency; loss
to suffer; to receive (kindness, rebuke, support); to sustain (damage)
revision; amendment; alteration
(political) administration; political power
falling together; mutual destruction; joint bankruptcy
abasement; fall; forfeiture; sinking (in people's estimation)
messenger; envoy; emissary
to feign friendliness; to play the hypocrite
external pressure; outside pressure; foreign pressure
to rely on; to depend on; to count on; to turn to (for help)
shifting (the burden) onto; ill effects; negative consequences; burden
breakthrough (research, etc.); breach; opening
to open out (of a view, scenery, etc.); to spread out; to improve (of luck, prospects, etc.); to get better; to develop (of a town, civilization, etc.); to become civilized; to be sensible
self-satisfaction; (self-)complacency; smugness
worst; worst-case (scenario)
fully prepared; all ready
(liquid) non-dairy creamer; coffee whitener
decisive moment; turning point; critical moment; win-or-bust situation
real intention; motive; true opinion; what one really thinks
calm; composed; leisurely
raising the curtain; opening (of an event); start of a season
to spit out; to eject; to dump
dinner party; ceremonial dinner; dinner meeting (or lunch, breakfast)
treatment; reception; service; working conditions; salary; pay
adjacency; contiguity; being adjoined
union; alliance; combination; RENGO (Japanese Trade Union Confederation)