Crossword Genius

Where to find father in the beginning of the year (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

japan

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'where' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'father in the beginning of the year' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'in the' is an insertion indicator.
'beginning of the year' becomes 'jan' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'pa' inserted inside 'jan' is 'JAPAN'.

'to find' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for japan that I've seen before include "East Asian island nation" , "Far Eastern island country" , "Country in Far East" , "'Country of more than 3,000 islands (5)'" , "Glossy coating" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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