How to use Japanese 12 key keyboard

wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time.

Adding Japanese as a Preferred Language

1. Open your PC's language settings. To do so, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language.

2. Click on "+". This will open up a dialog prompting you to install a language.

3. Search Japanese. This will narrow the language search down to Japanese.

4. Click on Next then Install. This will install the language pack to your machine.

Typing Japanese on a QWERTY Keyboard

1. Switch to the Japanese keyboard. To do so, press Win+Space. This will switch you to inputting in Japanese.

2. Locate the IME on the taskbar. This will be located directly to the left of the keyboard language option on the taskbar.

3. Select A to switch from half-width alphanumeric to hiragana. This will enable the input method editor for the text field you are currently in.

   • When in hiragana typing mode, the IME on the taskbar will have あ as its icon.
   • There is also "full-width katakana" ア, "half-width katakana" ｱ, and "full-width alphanumeric" typing modes.

4. Input romaji on the keyboard. To type Japanese on a QWERTY keyboard, you will need to use romaji. For example, to write the phrase 「こんにちは」, you would need to type out "ko" to get 「こ」, "nn" to get 「ん」, "ni" to get 「に」, "chi" to get 「ち」, and "ha" to get 「は」.

5. Select the appropriate option from the IME. The IME can convert automatically between kana and kanji. So if you want to include the word 水（みず） in your sentence, simply include the hiragana 「みず」 then select the phrase with the correct kanji.

   • You can use the space bar to cycle through different IME options.

6. Break down more complex sentences into simpler phrases. Sometimes the IME makes mistakes when predicting words or phrases. Breaking down the sentence allows you to accurately convert individual clauses because of how the IME provides more options.

7. Consider using the kana keyboard layout. This layout converts every single key input to Japanese text. The layout can be complicated, though, for those who do not have a Japanese keyboard. This layout also has a key for switching between hiragana, katakana, and romaji.

   • The kana keyboard layout is not for beginners; it is recommended for those who can understand Japanese very well.

Inputting Japanese Using the Handwriting Panel

1. Ensure that your device is capable of using the handwriting panel. The handwriting panel is only available on PCs with touchscreens and/or digitizer tablets.

   • You may still be able to use your mouse to input Japanese by using the IME handwriting panel, although it may be harder than using a stylus or touchscreen.
2. Tap the "touch keyboard" button. This button should be located on the taskbar. If it is not visible, then right-click the taskbar and select "Show touch keyboard button".

   • Alternatively, touch a text field with your pen or finger. If you use a pen, the handwriting input may open.

3. Select the input options button. This is on the upper left corner of the keyboard.

4. Select the handwriting panel button. This button has a pictogram of a stylus on a writing slate.

5. Write Japanese like you would on an actual piece of paper. The IME is able to recognize individual kanji characters as well as the different kana. If a character appears not as recognized, you can correct it by using the predictive bar on the top of the handwriting panel, just as with English.

   • You may want to use standard stroke order rules when writing Japanese with a stylus.
6. Know how to use inking tools to correct your sentence. As with writing English in the handwriting panel, the handwriting panel can allow you to fill additional empty spots and remove characters.

   • Crossing or scratching out text will delete it from the handwriting panel, both in English and in Japanese.
   • Placing a carrot underneath text will allow you to insert characters between the text, both in English and in Japanese.

Adding Japanese as a Preferred Language

1. Open your Mac's keyboard language settings. To do so, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources.

2. Click on "+". This will open up a dialog prompting you to install a language.

3. Search Japanese. This will narrow the language search down to Japanese.

4. Select "kana" or "romaji" then select Add. This will install the language pack to your machine.

   • The kana keyboard layout is not for beginners; it is recommended for those who can understand Japanese very well.

Typing Japanese on a QWERTY Keyboard

1. Switch to the Japanese keyboard. To do so, click the language switcher on the Apple menu then select "Hiragana". This will switch you to inputting in Japanese.

2. Input romaji on the keyboard. To type Japanese on a QWERTY keyboard, you will need to use romaji. For example, to write the phrase 「こんにちは」, you would need to type out "ko" to get 「こ」, "nn" to get 「ん」, "ni" to get 「に」, "chi" to get 「ち」, and "ha" to get 「は」.

3. Select the appropriate option from the IME. The IME can convert automatically between kana and kanji. So if you want to include the word 水（みず） in your sentence, simply include the hiragana 「みず」 then select the phrase with the correct kanji.

   • You can use the space bar to cycle through different IME options.

4. Break down more complex sentences into simpler phrases. Sometimes the IME makes mistakes when predicting words or phrases. Breaking down the sentence allows you to accurately convert individual clauses because of how the IME provides more options.

5. Consider using the kana keyboard layout. This layout converts every single key input to Japanese text. The layout can be complicated, though, for those who do not have a Japanese keyboard. This layout also has a key for switching between hiragana, katakana, and romaji.

   • The kana keyboard layout is not for beginners; it is recommended for those who can understand Japanese very well.

1. Enable the Japanese keyboard. This will vary based on the keyboard and your cell phone's manufacturer, but once you enable it, it should be very similar to typing on a PC or Mac. Check your phone's keyboard settings under Settings > General Management.

2. Use Romaji input if you are new to Japanese. Romaji input converts text in the Latin script to Japanese text. This is similar to typing Romaji on a PC keyboard.

3. Use 12-key input if you are familiar with the Japanese 12-key layout. Mobile phones in Japan historically used the keypad to input Japanese kana. This layout is a little more complicated, but you do get access to some kaomoji.

4. Switch to the Japanese keyboard. This varies on keyboard and phone manufacturer, but it is usually done by tapping the keyboard button from the bottom toolbar.

Typing Japanese on a QWERTY Keyboard

1. Input romaji on the keyboard. To type Japanese on a QWERTY keyboard, you will need to use romaji. For example, to write the phrase 「こんにちは」, you would need to type out "ko" to get 「こ」, "nn" to get 「ん」, "ni" to get 「に」, "chi" to get 「ち」, and "ha" to get 「は」.

2. Select the appropriate option from the IME. The IME can convert automatically between kana and kanji. So if you want to include the word 水（みず） in your sentence, simply include the hiragana 「みず」 then select the phrase with the correct kanji.

   • You can use the space bar to cycle through different IME options.

3. Break down more complex sentences into simpler phrases. Sometimes the IME makes mistakes when predicting words or phrases. Breaking down the sentence allows you to accurately convert individual clauses because of how the IME provides more options.

Typing Japanese on a 12-Key Layout

1. Tap the ABC/あいう to switch between typing with Latin text and typing Japanese text. This will change the numbered keys to do the same thing.

2. Tap the appropriate button until the desired syllabary or letter appears on screen. Similar to a mobile phone keypad, you will need to continue until you get the character desired.

   • Once the appropriate character is selected, then wait to advance to typing the next character.
3. Learn how to use flick gestures. The flick gestures will allow you to type Japanese text much faster on the 12-Key layout. You can form digraphs more quickly by using the following gestures on individual keys:

   • Tap and hold - types the character printed on the key (like 「あ」).
   • Swipe left - types the character printed on the left of the key (may be visible in a popup). For example, swiping left on the character 「あ」 will print 「い」.
   • Swipe up - types the character printed on the top of the key (may be visible in a popup). For example, swiping up on the character 「あ」 will print 「う」.
   • Swipe right - types the character printed on the right of the key (may be visible in a popup). For example, swiping right on the character 「あ」 will print 「え」.
   • Swipe down - types the character printed on the bottom of the key (may be visible in a popup). For example, swiping down on the character 「あ」 will print 「お」.
   • As seen above, there is a pattern to the 12-key Japanese layout. In most cases, swiping left will produce a glyph containing the "i" sound, swiping up will produce a glyph containing the "u" sound, swiping right will produce a glyph containing the "e" sound, and swiping down will produce a glyph containing the "o" sound.
   • There are two exceptions to the above: swiping on 「わ」 will produce 「を」, 「ん」, 「ー」, and 「～」, and swiping left and right on 「や」 will produce parentheses, not digraphs.
4. Select the appropriate option from the IME. The IME can convert automatically between kana and kanji. So if you want to include the word （みず） in your sentence, simply include the hiragana 「みず」 then select the phrase with the correct kanji.

   • You can use the space key to cycle through different IME options.
5. Tap 「小」 to change character size and add diacritics to a kana. This will add ﾞ and ﾟ (referred to as dakuten and handakuten respectively) to the kana. You can also swipe on the key to do this, just like swiping on any other key.

   • For example, swiping left and right when the previous kana is 「は」 will product 「ば」 and 「ぱ」, respectively. Swiping up on 「小」 will change the character size, if it is allowed (i.e. 「や」 to 「ゃ」).
   • 「小」 is literally the character for "small", so remember that this key will make kana small.

6. Break down more complex sentences into simpler phrases. Sometimes the IME makes mistakes when predicting words or phrases. Breaking down the sentence allows you to accurately convert individual clauses because of how the IME provides more options.

1. Enable the Japanese keyboard. To do so, go to Settings > General > Keyboard, then select "Add a keyboard". From here, you can either add the Romaji keyboard or the 12-key layout.

2. Use Romaji input if you are new to Japanese. Romaji input converts text in the Latin script to Japanese text. This is similar to typing Romaji on a PC keyboard.

3. Use 12-key input if you are familiar with the Japanese 12-key layout. Mobile phones in Japan historically used the keypad to input Japanese kana. This layout is a little more complicated, but you do get access to some kaomoji.

4. Switch to the Japanese keyboard. To do so, tap and hold on the globe button, then select the keyboard labelled 「日本語」.

Typing Japanese on a QWERTY Keyboard

1. Input romaji on the keyboard. To type Japanese on a QWERTY keyboard, you will need to use romaji. For example, to write the phrase 「こんにちは」, you would need to type out "ko" to get 「こ」, "nn" to get 「ん」, "ni" to get 「に」, "chi" to get 「ち」, and "ha" to get 「は」.

2. Select the appropriate option from the IME. The IME can convert automatically between kana and kanji. So if you want to include the word 水（みず） in your sentence, simply include the hiragana 「みず」 then select the phrase with the correct kanji.

   • You can use the space bar to cycle through different IME options.

3. Break down more complex sentences into simpler phrases. Sometimes the IME makes mistakes when predicting words or phrases. Breaking down the sentence allows you to accurately convert individual clauses because of how the IME provides more options.

Typing Japanese on a 12-Key Layout

1. Tap the ABC/あいう button to switch between typing with Latin text and typing Japanese text. This will change the numbered keys to do the same thing.

2. Tap the appropriate button until the desired syllabary or letter appears on screen. Similar to a mobile phone keypad, you will need to continue until you get the character desired.

   • Once the appropriate character is selected, then wait to advance to typing the next character.
3. Learn how to use flick gestures. The flick gestures will allow you to type Japanese text much faster on the 12-Key layout. You can form digraphs more quickly by using the following gestures on individual keys:

   • Tap and hold - types the character printed on the key (like 「あ」).
   • Swipe left - types the character printed on the left of the key (may be visible in a popup). For example, swiping left on the character 「あ」 will print 「い」.
   • Swipe up - types the character printed on the top of the key (may be visible in a popup). For example, swiping up on the character 「あ」 will print 「う」.
   • Swipe right - types the character printed on the right of the key (may be visible in a popup). For example, swiping right on the character 「あ」 will print 「え」.
   • Swipe down - types the character printed on the bottom of the key (may be visible in a popup). For example, swiping down on the character 「あ」 will print 「お」.
   • As seen above, there is a pattern to the 12-key Japanese layout. In most cases, swiping left will produce a glyph containing the "i" sound, swiping up will produce a glyph containing the "u" sound, swiping right will produce a glyph containing the "e" sound, and swiping down will produce a glyph containing the "o" sound.
   • There are two exceptions to the above: swiping on 「わ」 will produce 「を」, 「ん」, 「ー」, and 「～」, and swiping left and right on 「や」 will produce parentheses, not digraphs.
4. Select the appropriate option from the IME. The IME can convert automatically between kana and kanji. So if you want to include the word 水（みず） in your sentence, simply include the hiragana 「みず」 then select the phrase with the correct kanji.

   • You can use the space key to cycle through different IME options.
5. Tap 「小」 to change character size and add diacritics to a kana. This will add ﾞ and ﾟ (referred to as dakuten and handakuten respectively) to the kana. You can also swipe on the key to do this, just like swiping on any other key.

   • For example, swiping left and right when the previous kana is 「は」 will product 「ば」 and 「ぱ」, respectively. Swiping up on 「小」 will change the character size, if it is allowed (i.e. 「や」 to 「ゃ」).
   • 「小」 is literally the character for "small", so remember that this key will make kana small.

6. Break down more complex sentences into simpler phrases. Sometimes the IME makes mistakes when predicting words or phrases. Breaking down the sentence allows you to accurately convert individual clauses because of how the IME provides more options.