letter (of an alphabet); character; writing
starting point; point of departure
gradually; by degrees; little by little; bit by bit
to put into effect; to put into practice
demonstration; manifestation; protest
first generation; founder
arrest; apprehension; capture
organization; organisation; systematization; systematisation
to fix (a time, date, etc.); to set; to expect; to hope for; to resolve (to do); to decide upon
important person; influential figure; big shot; big thing; big one; big game
last night; yesterday evening
trouble; problem; mess; difficulty; nuisance
chain (of); series (of); sequence; suite (e.g. of rooms)
as stated; verbatim; literally
to fail to catch; to let slip; to miss
way of speaking; intimation
baton (relay, orchestral conducting, etc.)
difficult to ...; hard to ...
residence; estate; grounds; premises; mansion
synchronization; synchronized swimming
to protect (someone); to look after (e.g. an injured leg); to defend; to cover for; to stand up for; to stick up for
open; public; official; overt
contempt; derision; slight; disdain
considering something taboo; treating something as taboo
heresy; nonconformism; heathenism; paganism
leader; boss; upper part of a flag; (Okinawa) bamboo poles with an attached vertical flag and an elaborate display at the top that are used during the annual fertility and thanks-giving festivals
to carry up; to bring up; to lift up; to elevate (someone) to a high position; to convince someone to accept a post (esp. through flattery)
very caring; kind; helpful; service-minded
background (of a case, incident, etc.)
(Edo-period) chief minister
Meiji era (1868.9.8-1912.7.30)
early days; early years; early stages; initial stages; beginning
Imperial Diet; legislative assembly of Japan (1889-1947); Imperial Diet; legislative assembly of the Holy Roman Empire
legislature; legislative body
constitution; rules; regulation
elder statesman; doyen; old-timer; genrō (member of a pre-WWII body that informally advised the emperor)
body; group; party; gang; troupe; troop