The Input Sources pane of Keyboard preferences, where you can add or remove input sources for different languages (U.S. and Japanese are shown in the list on the left) and choose other options.

Same keyboard, multiple languages

With macOS, you can use a standard keyboard to type in Japanese—just add an input source for the language you want to use, then switch to it whenever you need to.

How to set up and switch to a Japanese input source

In a TextEdit document, hiragana characters converted into kanji using Live Conversion.

Convert as you type

When you use a Japanese input method, use Live Conversion to automatically convert hiragana characters into Japanese text as you type.

How to enter Japanese text

The Candidate window showing character choices for Japanese text.

Get suggestions from the Candidate window

As you type text, the Candidate window shows all the possible characters for the text, including emoji for certain languages.

How to use the Candidate window

To browse the Japanese Input Method User Guide, click Table of Contents at the top of the page.

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