succession struggle; succession race
atrocious; fiendish; brutal; villainous
staringly; fixedly; unblinkingly
hard-liners; diehards; (young) man with traditionally masculine interests; tough boy; hard news; reporter who covers political and economic affairs
positive; assertive; active; proactive; aggressive
two blessings at once; flanked by two beautiful women
the good fortune to have been born male
absolutely; positively; decidedly
to change the subject (e.g. away from something awkward or inconvenient)
to declare; to assert; to say bluntly; to say straight out
emotion; feeling; feelings; sentiment
to boil up; to come to the boil; to arise; to break out; to get excited; to be in uproar
to poke fun at; to make fun of; to send up
irritating; irritated; frustrating; vexing; (feeling things are) not quick enough; (feeling) too slow-going
libel; defamation; slander; character assassination
new work; new production; new composition; new creation; new title
to rise (of a building, mountain, etc.); to tower; to soar
castle (in place names); castle; fortress
unshapely; ill-formed; misshapen; awkward; clumsy
capital (esp. Kyoto, Japan's former capital); seat of government; capital (of music, fashion, etc.); city (e.g. of light); location of the Imperial Palace
prominent; leading; foremost; distinguished
minimum; at the very least
defense; defence; protection
equipment; facilities; installation; accommodations; conveniences; arrangements
to endeavor (endeavour); to try; to strive; to make an effort; to exert oneself; to be diligent
demonstration; protest; (giving a) demo; demonstration; presentation
a few years ago; some years back
prediction; prophecy; prognostication
hurriedly; in a hurry; in haste; (arch.) sudden
Metropolis (of Tokyo); (Tokyo) Metropolitan District; counter for cities and towns; capital
early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
all varieties of flowers; many flowers
straight (ahead); direct; upright; straightforward; honest; frank
to bloom; to blossom; to become lively (esp. of conversation); to become animated; to experience a golden age
to boast of; to be proud of; to take pride in
townscape; street (of stores and houses); (look of) stores and houses on street
crowd of people; great number of people; in great numbers
old person; senior citizen; the aged; the elderly