Crossword Genius

In January, father will be far away (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

japan

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'far away' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'in january father' is the wordplay.
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'january' becomes 'Jan' (synonyms).
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'jan' going around 'pa' is 'JAPAN'.

'will be' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for japan that I've seen before include "Glossy black lacquer" , "Country and decorated black lacquerware" , "black gloss" , "Far Eastern island country" , "Glossy, black varnish; country" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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