... is the reason; ... is my excuse
two times; twice; two degrees
double; twice (as much); twofold
to come down; to go down; to hang; to dangle; to move back; to step back; to deteriorate
to obtain; to come into possession of; to get hold of; to get one's hands on
common people; ordinary people; masses
everyone; everybody; all; everything; all
to take on; to undertake; to take over; to inherit; to guarantee; to vouch for
suddenly; casually; accidentally; incidentally; unexpectedly; unintentionally
regular; normal; formal; legal; established; legitimate
concerning; regarding; per (e.g. 100 yen per person); for every
skill; proficiency; experience; dexterity
instead; but (on the other hand)
to be useful; to be helpful; to serve the purpose
to decrease (in size or number); to diminish; to abate
to change into; to convert into; to transform; to be reduced; to influence; to improve (someone)
to live (of humans); to reside; to inhabit; to dwell; to abide
wealthy; rich; affluent; well-off
duty; obligation; responsibility
at the critical moment; when the time comes; when it's most important; when necessary; in an emergency; when push comes to shove
role; assignment; position (of responsibility); post; part (in a play, film, etc.); role
to stand; to rise; to find oneself (e.g. in a difficult position); to depart (on a plane, train, etc.)
to speak (of something); to be effective; to be powerful; to mean everything
member of an assembly; member of the Diet; member of parliament; member of Congress
to move; to shift; to inspire; to rouse; to change; to alter; to operate
to put one's life on the line; to risk one's life; to put everything one has into it
first and foremost; above all; most importantly of all
foreign enemy; outside invader
even though; despite; when
really; very; extremely; (not) anything; (not) at all; (not) a bit
irony; sarcasm; unexpected; different from what one expected; (only) surface; something superficial
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
to take the lead; to lead a group; to be in the vanguard
day by day; with each passing day; as the days go by
strong spirit; mettle; backbone; guts; fighting spirit
evading military service; draft dodging; draft evasion
increasingly; more and more; decreasingly (when declining); less and less
to arrive at (e.g. a decision); to reach (a stage); to lead to (a place); to get to; in the extreme case of; (arch.) to come
compulsory military service
status; position; method; way; rule; regulation