laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
tolerable; passable; adequate; so-so
simulation; simulation (of a foul); diving; flopping
effect; result; worth; Kai (former province located in present-day Yamanashi Prefecture)
senior (at work or school); superior; elder; older graduate; progenitor; old-timer
March; third month of the lunar calendar
last third of a month; 21st to the last day of a month
heavy fog; dense fog; thick fog
famous product; special product; speciality; specialty
I think (something) won't (something); probably (something) isn't (something)
northern sea; North Sea; Hokkaido
to distinguish; to recognize; to recognise; to tell apart; to differentiate
one's real father; natural father; biological father
foster mother; adoptive mother
going on a pleasure jaunt
attendance (on); chaperonage; attendant; escort; entourage
helper; assistant; second
lifetime supply; lifetime's worth (of something)
day by day; with each passing day; as the days go by
to increase (all the more)
to fall victim (to); to get into the clutches (of)
tail and fins; embellishment (of a story, rumor, etc.); exaggeration
various countries; various regions; various provinces
to make a splash; to evoke a response; to meet with a reaction
drama; theatre; theater; play
diffusion; spread; popularization; promulgation; familiarization
great achievement; great feat; great work; great undertaking
blockage; blockade; blocking up; stoppage; obstruction; occlusion
model; dummy; model (profession); fashion model; model (of a vehicle, machine, etc.); version; model (e.g. mathematical)
image (in one's mind); impression; (computer) image; depiction (e.g. of a product); rendition
impatient; tantalized; tantalised; irritated; chagrined; chagrinned