If you need a good Japanese life hack, try this one to remember your CHON CHON and MARU:
KONGRATS SUZIE TODAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
K + chon chon = G // ga gi gu ge go
S + chon chon = Z (except SHI=JI) // za ji zu ze zo
T + chon chon = D (only TA, TE, TO = DA, DE, DO)
H + chon chon = B // ba bi bu be bo
AND…
H + maru = P // pa pi pu pe po