While imposition of the sanctions and restrictions on shipping could cause some snarls and inconvenience, the official said the issue at hand is of a relatively low rank among the larger set of problems the United States has with Japan over trade.

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The rank-and-file of private armies are often members of official police or military auxiliary forces.

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The senior Urban Council official was reprimanded for obstructing inquiries and was transferred to another department, though at the same rank and salary.

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