1.   And the agreement represents a compromise between powerful bureaucrats in the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and NTT.

2.   But clamping down on monopolies is strongly opposed by powerful bureaucrats in the finance ministry, the ministry of industry and elsewhere.

3.   But taking on the most powerful bureaucrats in Tokyo is no job for mere mortals.

4.   It suggested a growing independence among Japanese financial institutions, which have long been obedient to the wishes of powerful bureaucrats at the Ministry of Finance.

5.   Powerful Japanese bureaucrats believe that Japan can continue to run up gargantuan trade surpluses and avoid opening their markets.

6.   The agreement is a major compromise between powerful bureaucrats in the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and NTT.

7.   The biggest sticking point may be the powerful bureaucrats, who understand best what needs to be done but are least willing to do it, analysts said.

8.   The Japanese economy is on the mend for real this time, says Eisuke Sakakibara, one of the most powerful bureaucrats in a nation of powerful bureaucrats.

9.   They all chuckled as a vain, name-dropping middleman bragged about his contacts with powerful bureaucrats and gave advice about the size of the bribes required.

10.   Usually, the term of administrative vice ministers of finance is one year, although powerful bureaucrats often serve two years.