Proverb / Kotowaza
一丁目一番地
The top priority or most important issue.
Block 1, Lot 1
Quick Answer
The top priority or most important issue.
- Literal Image
- Block 1, Lot 1
- How to Use It
- Used in formal, corporate, or political contexts to emphasize that a specific task, policy, or goal is the absolute top priority that must be addressed before anything else.
Meaning
Originating from the designation of the very first block and lot of a Japanese address, this expression refers to a matter of the highest priority. Because it represents an absolute starting point, it became popular in political contexts to describe core policies. In recent years, it has also become standard terminology in business for crucial goals.
Literal Image
Block 1, Lot 1
How to Use It
Used in formal, corporate, or political contexts to emphasize that a specific task, policy, or goal is the absolute top priority that must be addressed before anything else.
Tone
Formal and strategic.
Examples
この改革は我が党の一丁目一番地であり、何としても実現させなければならない。
This reform is our party's top priority, and we must realize it no matter what.
顧客満足度の向上が、当社の一丁目一番地だ。
Improving customer satisfaction is our company's top priority.
教育改革を一丁目一番地に掲げて、選挙戦に臨んだ。
We entered the election campaign with educational reform as our absolute top priority.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The individual vocabulary words are simple numbers and address terms, but the idiomatic meaning used in political and business contexts is more advanced.
一丁目
いっちょうめ / itchome
block 1 (of a district)
一番地
いちばんち / ichibanchi
lot 1 (of a block)
最優先
さいゆうせん / saiyuusen
top priority
Usage Profile
Usage note: Mainly used in formal, political, or business contexts; it is not used for personal daily errands.
Misread Risk
Do not translate this literally as a physical address when it appears in a discussion about goals, policies, or business strategy.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The phrase literally refers to '1-chome 1-banchi', which is the very first block and lot of a Japanese address. Because it represents the absolute starting point, it came to mean the most important issue or highest priority. It initially gained widespread use in political circles (such as the phrase 'the 1-chome 1-banchi of our policy') before spreading to corporate and business environments.
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