Hi John!
Thank a lot for having interests to learn Japanese !
I don't know what the best way to start learning Japanese because I'm native Japanese so I'm afraid I can't suggest how to learn it.
But if you have any questions I can help you so please send me a private massage !
-Greetings-
Good morning=Ohayoh/Ohayo gozaimasu[ if you speak to seniors or if you speak in public you should add gozaimasu
Otsukare sama desu[ it is a very useful words! You cand use this word when people finishes his work or the end of the work I'm sure people glad to hear!
Nande is a flank way to say "why" so you should say "Naze.....desu ka?"
What=Nani
Why=Naze
You can say Matte to your friends so when you speak to your seniors, you should add "Kudasai"
Also to seniors, you should say "Ikimashou" instead of Ikouze and I suppose Ikuze means"I'm going to go!"....
Dakara is flank way to say because, Umm.... in the same situation, you should say Nazenara,or add "nanode" at last.
Sorry my poor English and if you feel bad because of my bad explainations
I hope you enjoy learning Japanese!
Ask me any time!