Vocabulary

order; turn; sorting

early days; early years; early stages; initial stages; beginning

first generation; founder

root; source; origin

local authority; local government; locality; local self-governing body; municipality

putting off (doing); postponement; delaying

western Japan (usu. Chūbu region and westward)

national armed forces

autumn of last year; fall of last year

the industrial world

popularity; favour; favor; reception

fundamental principles; main lines

this place; here

counselor; counsellor; adviser; advisor

Japan's best; number one in Japan

new law

deputy minister; assistant minister

buying books and not reading them; stockpiling books; tsundoku

protection

evacuees; displaced persons; refugees

Minister of Education, Science and Culture

previous year (fiscal, academic, etc.)

large field

final scene; the end; finale

one line; (a) single line

one shot; one charge; one explosion

one vote; one ballot

first base

mark; sign

beverage; drink

right wing

fate; destiny; lot

hero; heroine; great person

depreciation of the yen; weak yen

coast; shore

smoke; fumes

inner part; interior; back (of a drawer, one's throat, etc.); depths (e.g. of a forest); recesses (e.g. of a cave); heart

voice; speech; sound of a voice

low rank; lower position; subordinate position; lower order (e.g. byte)

total blockage; complete shutdown; stopping completely