how do you type japanese symbols on you computer.
i see japanese symbols everywhere.thats natural cuz thats how they write.but how on earth do they type it into their computers.thats what i dont get.can someone help me with this.my other questions is the differen between higana,kanji and katakana.when do you know to use which one? if someone could help me with these questions that would be great.thanks.

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Answer

We usually type Japanese chars by combination of alphabets. For instance, か can be pronunced "ka". So you can simply type "K + A" and hit space bar, then "か" will appear on your computer. And yes, you need to install Japanese IMA before doing anything else though.  For detail, check the web sites below.

WindowsXP
http://blog.greggman.com/blog/japanese_input_on_windows_xp/

WindowsXP/7 compatible
http://www.coscom.co.jp/learnjapanese801/howtotypejapanese.html

Windows7/vista
http://www.yesjapan.com/install_japanese/windows7_vista/

Mac
http://redcocoon.org/cab/mysoft.html

Answer

Poisonous Apple, good explanation!

Let me ask you do you know something about a special program helping to read these Japanese hieroglyphs by the "Japanese transcription"  based on Japanese phonology (JSL Romanization) ?

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besides there also exists natural input, but you need japanese keyboard with kana. http://newton.uor.edu/Departments%26Programs/AsianStudiesDept/Language/asianlanguageinstallation_XP.html