Vocabulary

globalization; globalisation

Japanese society

configurable

mutual exchange

electronic parts; electronic components

restart

surprise

group home

small-time candy store; penny candy store

resuming work after the New Year's vacation; first time that one works in the year

experienced; well-versed

latest news; most recent news

abduction issue (esp. of those Japanese abducted by North Korea)

please remember me; please help me; please treat me well; I look forward to working with you

having said that; on the other hand; (but) then; (but) still

of uncertain meaning; ambiguous; cryptic; nonsensical; incomprehensible; perplexing

(police) investigator

sales staff; salesperson

end (e.g. of a line); tail end; rear; backmost part

Japanese government

without

new adult (in Japan, a person who reaches adulthood that year)

(early) childhood

therapy

canned coffee

major incident; major happening; big scandal

first thing in the morning

see you later; goodbye; sincerely

and yet; despite (all) that

acting ability; talent as a performer

on the occasion of; at the time of; when; during

if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say

small; little; tiny

although I say; although one might say; although called

that is to say; so that means

to be forced to do or experience something (against one's will); to be forced to do something because one has no other choice

which can exist solely due to the presence of; whose existence is determined entirely by; which owes everything to

although (it is a certain time or something is in a certain condition); even though normally

in; on; at; during; in the condition of

it is not possible (to, that); there is no such thing as