Vocabulary

selection; choice; choosing; picking; election

dancing; dance

good (quality, condition, etc.)

among (other things); especially; particularly; inter alia; above all (else)

root; source; origin

to serve as; to act as; to fill (the position of); to play the role of; to be in charge of; to hold (a position)

national armed forces

autumn of last year; fall of last year

the industrial world

popularity; favour; favor; reception

fundamental principles; main lines

this place; here

Japan's best; number one in Japan

counselor; counsellor; adviser; advisor

mental; spiritual; emotional

local authority; local government; locality; local self-governing body; municipality

putting off (doing); postponement; delaying

western Japan (usu. Chūbu region and westward)

Minister of Education, Science and Culture

previous year (fiscal, academic, etc.)

protection

contrastive

new law

deputy minister; assistant minister

evacuees; displaced persons; refugees

buying books and not reading them; stockpiling books; tsundoku

large field

final scene; the end; finale

before one's eyes; in front of one; under one's nose

this matter; this case

Minister of Agriculture

accidentally; in error; by mistake; by accident

entering; going into

no outs

decision; judgment; resolution

circulation or lending (e.g. library books)

(written) work; book

Minamata disease

under (guidance, supervision, rules, the law, etc.)

anyone; any person; whoever