to put the scalpel to; to perform an operation on; to take drastic measures to get to the bottom of something; to make a searching inquiry; to put something under the microscope
indicates concession or compromise; indicates permission
lovey-dovey; head-over-heels in love
veteran; battle-worn; schooled by adversity in many battles; rich in experience
template; run of the mill; formulaic
general policy speech; speech held by the Prime Minister of Japan at the start of a special or extraordinary Diet session
maintaining the status quo
from the viewpoint of; according to
old evils; long-standing abuses; old-fashioned ways; old-fashioned; outdated; outmoded
breaking down; defeating; abolishing
influential person; man of importance
selection (esp. from many people for an important job position); exceptional promotion
to support; to prop; to sustain; to hold at bay; to stem; to check
working one's way up; self-made person; veteran
face; official stance; public position or attitude (as opposed to private thoughts); ceremony for the erection of the framework of a house
Minister of Finances; Minister for the Economy
to read out; to read aloud; to call out; to finish reading; to read through
Minister of Labor (Labour)
coworker; co-worker; colleague; associate
(social) class; rank; grade
ten thousand years; eternity; perennial; perpetual
suggestion box; comment box; (arch.) complaints box placed in front of the supreme court (Edo period)
unsung hero; person who does a thankless task
to take (someone) by surprise; to do something unexpected
intolerable; unbearable; tremendous; out of this world; cannot help (doing); cannot but do
simply (cannot); definitely (cannot); absolutely (cannot); by no means
wrong impression; subjective impression; assumption; prejudice
advance or retreat; moving forwards or backwards; course of action; behaviour; remaining in one's post or resigning; staying or leaving
rank; ranking order; hierarchy
indicates position in a sequence; divisions of a kabuki performance