迫る (semaru) means “approach” | MotiTan Japanese Dictionary

More examples

締め切りが迫ると、気持ちが落ち着きません。shi me ki ri ga sema ru to ki mo chi ga o chi tsu ki ma se n

When a deadline approaches, I cannot relax.

Describes something drawing closer until it is near or imminent, often leaving less time or room to respond.

近づくchikazuku: To become nearer in time or space.
差し迫るsashisemaru: To be very near in time and require a response soon.

人や物事などが近づき、時期や期限などが近くなる。hito ya mono goto na do ga chika zu ki ji ki ya ki gen na do ga chika ku na ru

The native Japanese verb 迫る (semaru) belongs to the same word family as 狭い (semai, "narrow"), linking approach with a narrowing distance or time.

In everyday Japanese, 迫る (semaru) commonly takes a deadline or event as its subject, so it can describe something approaching without implying physical movement.