Vocabulary

virtuous cycle; self-reinforcing cycle; upward spiral

words can lead to disaster; the tongue is the root of calamities; the more you open your mouth the more likely you are to put your foot in it

when; at what point

group of geeks

one soldier

to make a joint vow; to swear together; to pledge

rejected goods; rejected article; reject; seconds; second; off-grade goods

border control measures (against smuggling, disease, etc.)

studless winter tire (tyre)

digital money; electronic money

electronic visa; eVISA

electronic visa; eVISA

Minister of Education

shippō pattern (of overlapping circles)

endless knot; treasure knot

shippō pattern (of overlapping circles)

triangular pattern; scalelike pattern; imbricate pattern; imbrication

British newspaper

chikungunya fever

mixed language spoken by Japanese Brazilians

repeating a school grade; grade retention; grade repetition

chikungunya (fever)

mobile payment; payment using a smartphone, smartwatch, etc.

payment using a smartphone; mobile payment

medical diagnostic instruments

educational counseling; educational guidance

quasi-nisei (Japanese-born person who moved abroad when young)

cultural association

Japanese-language newspaper (printed outside Japan)

enjoying the snow

overcoming damage and problems caused by snow

effective use of snow (as a resource)

cybersex

cultural association

hot pot meal featuring oysters and a miso broth, cooked at the table

Chinese emperor (species of emperor bream, Lethrinus haematopterus)

ornamental knot

spangled emperor (species of emperor bream, Lethrinus nebulosus)

Arenaviridae (family of viruses)

Chinese Spring Festival travel season; Chunyun period