I've heard that ...; rumour has it that ...; it appears as if ...
blood relationship; consanguinity; blood relative
existence or nonexistence; presence or absence; consent or refusal; yes or no
condition; term; requirement; qualification; prerequisite
brother-in-law; stepbrother; sworn brother
to regard (as); to consider (to be); to deem; to look upon (as); to think of (as)
related (by blood); blood-related; of the same blood
brothers and sisters; siblings
rice gruel containing vegetables, fish, etc., and seasoned with miso or soy sauce
to play a leading role; to play a central part
in accordance with; according to; as X, then Y (e.g. as we age we gain wisdom, as wine matures it becomes more valuable, etc.)
effect; efficacy; validity; potency
far away; distant place; long ago; far back; by far
easy; simple; easygoing; lighthearted; simplistic
example; simile; metaphor; allegory
outside (a region, area, etc.); out of range (of a mobile network, radar, etc.); outside the sphere (of influence, etc.); out of contention; out of reach
plot of land; lot; soil; locality; region; place
(one) matter; (one) item; (one) case
derisory; negligible; minimal; nominal; imperceptible
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives
excursion; field trip; school trip
as expected; just as one thought; as feared; sure enough
depression; melancholy; dejection; gloom; despondency
disaster; tragedy; tragic incident; horrible accident
occasion; time; circumstances; (in) case (of); when
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects
another prefecture; other prefectures
destination (in travel); place where one is staying
to visit and comfort or console; to go to see (e.g. someone in hospital); to ask after (e.g. someone's health); to attack; to hit; to strike
very rare; very unlikely (to happen); scarcely; seldom; improbable; almost never (occurring)
painful; difficult; distressing; (psychologically) difficult; straitened (circumstances); tight (financial situation)
departure; leaving; setting off
national road; national highway
to get on (train, plane, bus, ship, etc.); to get in; to get on (e.g. a footstool); to step on; to reach; to go over; to follow
opposite lane; oncoming lane; opposite side of the road
falling asleep at the wheel
dark; gloomy; somber; depressing