beginning; start; outset; at first; at the beginning; initially
near; close; close (in time); soon; close (relationship); friendly
to suffer; to groan; to be worried
luckily; blessedly; fortunately
31st day of the month; 31 days
lifting a ban; raising an embargo; opening a season (hunting, fishing, etc.); publishing contents; revealing information
to the utmost; to the best of one's ability
not caring; not giving a damn
taking a breath (while singing, swimming, etc.); short break; breather
once; one time; temporarily; for a moment; one degree; one tone
to separate; to part; to divide; to keep apart
close adhesion; sticking firmly (to); relating closely (to); having relevance (to); contact printing
health management; health maintenance; health care
really (seem, appear, etc.); truly; evidently; in that way
to force; to compel; to coerce; to press; to impose
making a person, pet, etc. wait (before being permitted to do something); postponement; putting on hold
making out; necking; getting handsy; canoodling; being lovey-dovey; getting affectionate (with each other)
remainder; remnant; the rest; what is left; balance; leftovers
skip it; drop it; I've had enough (e.g. when offered something); that's enough
New Year (esp. first three days); first month of the year; January
mochi; small rice cake made from glutinous rice
first shrine visit of the New Year
ordinary clothes (i.e. non-uniform); plain clothes; civilian clothes; plainclothes police officer
rest; recess; vacation; holiday; dormancy (of a silkworm prior to moulting)
greeting; greetings; speech (congratulatory or appreciative); address; reply; response; courtesy visit (to offer condolences, say congratulations, pay respect, introduce oneself, etc.)
to call on someone; to call at a place; to ask; to inquire; to hear; to be told
to move (to another place or state); to change (e.g. of state, affiliation, scenery, etc.); to spread (of a fire, smell, etc.); to catch (an illness); to move (e.g. of one's focus); to change (e.g. of one's interest)
freshly pounded (rice cake); fresh from the mortar
mochi; small rice cake made from glutinous rice
to have (e.g. lunch); to take (e.g. vitamins)
flour; meal; powder; heroin
to cover (with); to smear; to sprinkle
just right (time, size, length, etc.)
big; large; loud; extensive; spacious; important
to tear to pieces; to tear to shreds; to pick (e.g. fruit); to pluck; to do ... heavily; to do ... heartily
being in charge (of an area of responsibility); being responsible (for a work role, etc.)
chance; opportunity; machine; aircraft; counter for aircraft; counter for (remaining) lives
colouring; coloring; shade (of colour); flavour; nuance; feel
old; aged; long; since long ago; of the distant past; long-ago