Japanese Input

This article provides information on installing Japanese input method using 2 alternatives.

Before you start

If you are using a newer version of Ubuntu (10.4 LTS or above, at least), you can type Japanese via the program "iBus", which supplies the input methods. Access it in under "System", or start it by pressing Control-Space.

Input methods for additional languages can be added in the preferences.

The information below is for older distributions.

SCIM or UIM?

Many people are confused as to whether they should be using SCIM or UIM for extended character input. Both offer an effective way of typing Japanese characters into Ubuntu. Both can use 'Anthy' which is the system of converting western keystrokes into Japanese characters. SCIM is currently the default system and for many people is quite suitable. Many other distributions of linux use SCIM and therefore some people might be quite used to it. UIM on the other hand is also quite popular and many people who have had compatibility issues with SCIM choose to use UIM. In the past there have been issues with both input methods, though today they are both reasonably stable and most of the compatibility problems ironed out. If you are using KDE, you will need to use SKIM which is a wrapper for SCIM.

For information on how to install a Japanese input setup with SCIM, please click here:

Ubuntu 7.04

Ubuntu 7.10

Ubuntu 8.04

Ubuntu 8.10

For information on how to install a Japanese input setup with UIM, please click here:

Ubuntu 7.10

For information on how to install a Japanese input setup with SKIM in KDE, please click here:

Kubuntu 8.10