Setting up the PC to type in Japanese!

If you are interested in learning Japanese, then you'll most likely want to know how to set up your computer to type in Japanese if you don't know already. This looks like a great place to set up your computer for Japanese input (Windows, Mac, and Linux systems). These methods are used at the OS, or operating system, level. You may be able to find other methods to type in Japanese on your computer. For example, Google Input Tools extension from the Chrome Web Store works in the Chrome browser.

Some examples online that you can benefit from by being able to type in Japanese:

• Search online using Japanese language criteria (can return Japanese websites)
• Search words in an online Japanese dictionary in Japanese (ex: Denshi Jisho)
• Communicate with others in Japanese using e-mail, Skype, chat rooms, forums, etc.
• Create offline written work in Japanese (documents, notes, programming projects, etc.)

As a note, I do want to mention that Japanese keyboards look slightly different than American keyboards (they aren't the only ones to change the keyboards to meet society needs). You may be surprised when you see one in person:

A good site, I have found, for learning that is based on writing and has a social aspect is Lang-8.com.