Nevertheless, the signs of a painful adjustment are everywhere in a country that has become increasingly middle class over the last generation.

Despite the painful adjustments of economic reform, he remains a far more popular figure than his Congress opponents.

They overlook the many difficult, even painful, economic adjustments that Japan has made in recent years.

Achieving it will require some painful adjustments by states and townships.

Some say the rising property and share prices merely delay what will be a painful economic adjustment.

The shifts in the region's manufacturing economy have also forced some painful adjustments.

The West also provided timely aid to smooth over the painful adjustment of economic reconstruction.

That will require painful adjustments around the world, including demanding that Americans spend less and save more.

This drop in house prices will be a painful adjustment, but there is no way to avoid it.

That will require the major powers to follow through on their pledges to make painful adjustments in economic policies.