A discourse marker meaning 'by the way, incidentally,' used to shift the topic of conversation. Placed at the start of a sentence or turn.
2 sentences
「？」「。、」
"By the way, do you know about Shinto shrines?" "Only in passing. A religious institution that enshrines beings that have become objects of faith — what you'd call divine spirits, basically."
、、。
By the way, how involved is Diet member Hirakawa in this matter?