firstborn; first child; eldest child
breakup of diplomatic relations; diplomatic break
useless messenger; doing only as one is told; fool's errand
chronological report; chronicle
increase and decrease; fluctuation
to keep in mind; to memorize
unseasonable weather; fickle weather; bad weather
supply center; supply centre
production; output; turning out
decreasing (graph falling to the right); shrinking; declining
deep-seated; deep-rooted; ingrained
a matter for speculation; only conjecture; just guesswork
downward spiral; negative spiral; vicious circle
regarding as an enemy; treating as an enemy
to hang one's hopes on; to expect from
underclasses; poorest segment of the population; the poor
to be forward; to be impertinent
to be extremely thorough, focusing on even the finest of details
police substation; residential police box
to be interested in; to take an interest in; to care about
making obligatory; making compulsory
nature (of a person); disposition; temperament; nature (of something); character; kind
headdress; crown; covering; fogging (photography); blushing
to snatch (and run); to carry off; to swipe; to scoop up (and remove; sand, earth, etc.)
acknowledge; acceptance; admission
stagnation; deposit; sediment; faltering; hesitation; pause
tagged (esp. with a price); notorious; infamous; double-dyed
quick-witted; bright; rapid thinking
location famous for production of something (usually food)
root; origin; source; Ōmoto (religion)
idleness; lack of application; lazy study habits
democracy; popular sovereignty; Democratic Party (esp. DPJ)