foundation; basis; bedrock; substrate (circuit board)
transition; change; progress; passing (of time)
monolith; large slab of rock
(political) power; authority; influence
depending on the situation; should time and circumstances permit
urgent business; pressing need; imperative
check; keeping in check; containment (of enemy forces); diversionary action; pickoff throw; holding a runner on base
to cause trouble; to cause a disturbance
to pile up; to accumulate
with a whiff; with a puff; suddenly; abruptly; without warning
to sympathize with; to sympathise with; to think of (a far-off person, place, etc.); to cast one's mind to; to worry about; to feel anxious about
husband; groom; (one's) son-in-law
one's support (power) base; the base of one's support in an electorate
influence; clout; leverage
dove; moderate; soft-liner
influential person; man of importance
face; official stance; public position or attitude (as opposed to private thoughts); ceremony for the erection of the framework of a house
obstinate; stubborn; headstrong
today and tomorrow; today or tomorrow; in a day or two; very soon
each place; various places
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
schedule; program; programme; agenda
growing impudent; becoming arrogant; getting stuck-up; becoming more severe (esp. regarding something bad); increasing
to invite; to ask; to beckon; to wave someone in; to call in; to send for
riskiness; (level of) danger
that way; that direction; that (one); that person; there; over there
duvet; bed cover; coverlet; quilt; comforter; eiderdown
(appearance while) in pajamas (pyjamas)
portrait photo; mug shot; face shot; photograph of a person's face
favorite; favourite; pet (e.g. teacher's pet); bookmark (in web browser)
to grow; to spring up; to sprout; to cut (teeth)
natto (fermented soybeans)
expression of love; showing love
bad (taste); unpalatable; poor; unskillful; ugly; unattractive
to slip out; to steal out; to excel; to stand out
Western-style clothes (cf. traditional Japanese clothes)
(one's) figure; build; physique; style
pressure; encouragement; urging; promoting
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting