First, let's learn how to install the Japanese input system in your computer. If you are using Microsoft Windows XP or above, the system has already been installed. You just need to "wake it up". Previous Windows versions may demand you to install from a CD.

How to type Japanese?

Inputting Japanese is in fact very similar to inputting English. All you need to do is input the Romaji transcription of each Hiragana and Katakana character. For example, if you want to input the Hiragana ま(ma), you need to first select "JP" as your input method, change the "A" icon to "あ" and type "ma". The computer will convert "ma" into "ま" automatically.

You may use the following table to learn how to type Kana characters.

How to type Kanji?

When you are typing in Hiragana or Katakana, you may notice that there is a line below the word you are inputting. This line indicates that your input is not complete yet. You need to press "Enter" to confirm that your input of a Kana, a phrase or even a sentence is finished.

But before pressing "Enter", you can press the "Space" bar to convert the Hiragana or Katakana you have typed into Kanji. For instance, after typing "ai", the Hiragana characters "あい" appear. You can press "Enter" now to confirm that "あい" is what you intend to input. Or, you can press the "Space" bar to select from a list of Kanji characters, e.g. 藍, 愛, 会い, 亜衣, etc.

So if you don't know how to pronounce a Kanji, it is very difficult for you to input it in Japanese.

How to type Sokuon?

You can type Sokuon (small っ) by inputting "LTU". Or, you can just simply repeat the letter after Sokuon.

For instance, さき is "saki". If you want to type さっき, all you need to do is repeat the letter after Sokuon ("k" in this case) and type "sakki".

To input other small Kana such as ぁぃぅヵ, just type "L" before inputting the Kana.

Using the Japanese input method to type symbols

The "Space" bar does not only let you convert Kana into Kanji, but sometimes also let you change the Kana into symbols. For instance, if you type "hosi" (or "hoshi"), the computer will change it to "ほし". If you now press the "Space" bar, besides the Kanji 星(which means "star"), you can also choose two star symbols, namely ★ and ☆.

Here is a list of the symbols you can "type":

Or, you can type "kigou" (きごう/記号), which means "symbol" in Japanese, and choose from a long list of symbols.

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