Learn Japanese - How to Type in Japanese

Learn Japanese

How to Type in Japanese

You can input Japanese characters with non-Japanese software such as English email software or English Office softwares.

Japanese keyboard is NOT necessary.
You can type in Japanese language in Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji using a keyboard of English or other languages.

For Windows User

You need MS-IME to input Japanese language.
MS-IME is Japanese input software and it is standard accessory for Windows XP, Windows VISTA and Windows 7.
Japanese people, too, use this software to type in Japanese on Windows.

MS-IME is ready on the hard disk or on the System disk on non-Japanese Windows such as XP, VISTA or Windows 7 English version.

You need Japanese Fonts in your system before you start to install MS-IME.

For MAC User

Japanese input software, KOTOERI is provided on MAC OS.
Preparations for KOTOERI

Preparations for Windows

If you manually install Japanese fonts and complete setting "non-Unicode Programs",
MS-IME will also be automatically installed.

If you see "EN" (in case of Windows English version) on the taskbar like on the right,
It is the Language Bar. MS-IME is already installed.
You do not need to go through Step 1.

Step 1 - Installing MS-IME

Windows XP

Windows VISTA

Windows 7

Step 2 - How to Start Typing Japanese Mode

Windows XP

Windows VISTA

Windows 7

Windows XP

Windows VISTA

Windows 7

Step 3 - How to Finish Typing Japanese Mode or Remove MS-IME

Windows XP

Windows VISTA

Windows 7

Option - Setting "non-Unicode Programs"

If you cannot view Japanese characters properly
even after installing Japanese fonts, please try this option.

Windows XP

Windows VISTA

Windows 7

Practice Level 1 - Type Japanese in Hiragana and Katakana

We introduce how to type in Japanese by using MS-IME,
but it is basically the same way by KOTOERI of MAC.

Kana Table

How to type Japanese character is based on Hiragana Katakana table.
Please check it first.

Lesson 1

Type Japanese words in Hiragana

Lesson 2

Type Japanese words in Katakana

How to correct a typo after converting, before Enter

Lesson 3

Type Hiragana Katakana Long Vowels

Lesson 4

Type Hiragana Katakana Double consonants

Lesson 5

Type "KYA, KYU, KYO", "SHA, SHU, SHO"

Lesson 6

Type Katakana New methods, "FA", "FI", "TI", etc.

Lesson 7

Type short sentence in Hiragana and Katakana - Particles "WA" and "O"

Overview

How do Japanese people type Japanese?
What is IME?, What does IME do?

(Japanese keyboard is not necessary)

There are two typing methods, Romaji typing and Kana typing.
Currently, Romaji typing is more common than Kana typing among Japanese people.
Because ...