foster mother; adoptive mother
full sail; sailing downwind
mother's side of family; maternal (grandfather, uncle, etc.)
hometown; birthplace; native place; (arch.) ruins; (arch.) historic remains
large sum (of money); large amount; large denomination (banknote, etc.)
provision (of money or goods); furnishing; conferral; payment; delivery; benefit
godsend; lifesaver; timely offer; windfall
to respond; to answer; to accept (an invitation, offer, etc.); to comply with (a request, etc.); to suit; to match
mediator; peacemaker; troubleshooter; manager
selection (from many people for an important position); exceptional promotion
ground; crust (earth); foundation (building, etc.); base; constituency; power base
union; unity; bundling; binding; (arch.) putting on (clothes, armour, etc.)
strengthening; intensifying; reinforcement; reinforcement
changing (one's job, loyalties, stance, etc.); switching over; changing quarters (of a geisha, prostitute, etc.)
fingers; fingertips; underling; stooge; tool
to make an example of; to make a victim of; to hold up someone (something) to ridicule; to pierce with a spear
you could say; you might say; verging on the
support; participation; assistance; complicity; conspiracy
retaliation; revenge; reprisal; retorsion; retortion
candidate; contender; prospect; candidacy; candidature; nomination
Fourth Investigation Division (of the Japanese police); division responsible for investigating organized crime and the yakuza
dozens; scores of; decades
fictitious; imaginary; fanciful; aerial; overhead
remittance; sending money; transferring money
100,000,000; one hundred million; 10^8
thousands; several thousand
to get (information) out of someone; to extract (information) from someone; to find out (through questioning); to begin listening (to)
(making a) lesson (of); (setting an) example; warning
remarkable ability; mastery; brilliant technique; go-getter; resourceful person; wizard
chase; pursuit; tracking; following up; tracing
intimacy; friendship; friendly relations
to shelter (e.g. a fugitive); to harbour; to harbor; to hide; to give refuge to
circular; circulating letter
unique flavor (flavour); (degree of) flavouring; distinctive quality; special charm
still; as yet; (not) yet; more; (more) still; at least
judging from appearances; to all appearances; from the looks of it; on the face of it; apparently; seemingly
something broad and flat; common; ordinary; low-ranking employee; freshman
December; twelfth month of the lunar calendar
welfare; well-being; social welfare; social security; social service