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Tokyo near-field earthquake; large-scale earthquake expected to directly hit the Kanto area sometime in the future; also refers to the 1855 and 1894 Edo/Tokyo earthquakes

Group of Seven; G7

debate between party leaders (in the Japanese Diet)

rokurokubi; long-neck woman; monstrous person (often a woman) with a neck that can expand and contract (in Japanese folklore)

vote by the Diet to appoint the prime minister

Formula at the end of a letter

respectfully yours

put heads together and confer; convene and discuss; go into a huddle (over)

opposition leader

being at a complete loss as to what to do; being at one's wit's end; being at a loss for an answer

executioner's block

being unable to make up one's mind; sitting on the fence

going into a huddle (over); holding secret (closed-door) conference (about); laying heads together in secret consultation

(logical) consistency; coherence; unchanging from beginning to end

system allowing for election of the prime minister by popular vote

federal chancellor

put heads together and confer; convene and discuss; go into a huddle (over)

bulbous bow (on a ship to reduce drag)

to wait expectantly; to be full of anticipation; to long for

Suramgama Sutra

nipple-piercing; nipple piercing

Sports

game or series of games between the first and second place teams

Tokyo near-field earthquake; large-scale earthquake expected to directly hit the Kanto area sometime in the future; also refers to the 1855 and 1894 Edo/Tokyo earthquakes

go into a huddle (over); hold a secret conference (about); put heads together and conspire

flea collar