Progressive English-Japanese Dictionary(プログレッシブ英和中辞典)

One of the best, most detailed, compiled, and explanatory dictionaries for Japanese and English students.

When combined with Shogakukan Progressive Japanese-English Dictionary, The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary (or a like English substitute for Japanese learning English), there are few words left unrealized. Though it still isn't a complete vocabulary, these dictionaries are the best with which to begin learning either language. The Shogakukan line seems to specialize in covering the metaphorical and non-literal definitions used for words. This is rare for English speakers, as few English oriented dictionaries even consider using these terms (blame Oxford).