Japanese Language Kit: Common Troubleshooting Steps

This document contains the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Japanese Language Kit (JLK).
Question 1: I'm installing the Japanese Language Kit using the floppy disks instead of the CD-ROM. Why doesn't the Installer ask for disk Font 12?

Answer: The SaiMincho and ChuGothic fonts found on Font Disk 12 are available only through a customized installation. These fonts are PostScript compatible bitmaps for use with the LaserWriter NTX-J.

Question 2: I'm installing the Japanese Language Kit on an older Macintosh (with 32-bit addressing off). The Installer crashes while merging the TrueType fonts. Why?

Answer: This happens only when installing on Macintosh computers (Macintosh II, IIx, SE/30, IIcx) that also have the 32-bit System Enabler installed. Turn on 32-bit addressing in the Memory Control Panel while installing the Japanese Language Kit with these types of Macintosh computers (Macintosh II, IIx, SE/30, IIcx).

Question 3: I see unreadable garbage text instead of Japanese characters. What's wrong?

Answer: If you see unreadable Japanese text, check the following basic points to make sure the Japanese fonts system is complete:
Question 4: In the Keyboard menu (Diamond Menu) and the Pencil menu the Japanese text is displayed as garbage.

Answer: The Japanese Language Kit uses the Osaka font to display some menus properly. Some third-party menu enhancement software may override the Japanese font used for some menus. If you have installed software that customizes the menu font, a workaround is to specify Osaka as the menu font, or disable the conflicting software.

Question 5: I double click on a Japanese TeachText file and the data appears as garbage.

Answer: The English version of TeachText opened the document instead of the Japanese version. The only work around is to open the Japanese version of TeachText, then open the file from within TeachText. Alternatively, you can use SimpleText, which is WorldScript savvy.

Question 6: I enter text in Hiragana, but it does not convert to Kanji. Why not?

Answer: The Main dictionary needs to be opened in the JLK preferences.

Question 7: Some of my keyboard shortcuts don't work since I installed JLK. What's wrong?

Answer: System 7.1 or later uses the sequence Command-Option-Spacebar to switch keyboard layouts. Some third-party applications or utilities may also attempt to use this key combination. The System Software takes precedence in all cases so you have to find an alternative for the conflicting program.

Question 8: The JLK is working fine in my applications, but I can't view or input Japanese file names in the Finder. The file names are garbage text, and the input method is dimmed in the Keyboard menu. How do I view and input Japanese file names in the Finder?

Answer: To view Japanese text in the Finder, set the Finder's Views Font. The location of the setting is different, depending on which version of Mac OS you are using.

System 7.1 through 7.6


Mac OS 8.0 and 8.1


Mac OS 8.5 and 8.6


Question 9: I've set the Finder Views Font to Osaka. When I rename a file or folder, the Keyboard Menu automatically switches from US (a blue diamond icon) to the Japanese Input Method (called Kotoeri, an icon of a red sun with an apple). If I re-select U.S. keyboard layout, I can enter the name in English. Why does the keyboard layout switch occur?

Answer: With the Japanese Language Kit installed, if you click in any editable text field (such as editing folder names in the Finder, or editing text in a word processor), Mac OS automatically switches the keyboard layout depending on whether the current font is a Japanese or English Font. This is called Font and Keyboard Synchronization. For example, if you select text that is using Osaka, the keyboard layout will switch to Kotoeri. If the selected text is using an English font like Times or Geneva, the keyboard layout will switch back to U.S.

While some users find this automatic switching feature to be convenient, other users do not. Mac OS 8.5 and later provide the option to turn this feature off. The option to disable Font & Keyboard Synchronization is located in the Keyboard control panel.

Question 10: I have a Performa computer and the JLK. Windows such as help and the input window do not show up when I try to enter Japanese text. What's wrong?

Answer: If you have System 7.1P4 or later, open the Performa Control Panel and turn off Finder Hiding. Then restart your computer to enter Japanese through the input window. If you have System 7.1P3 or earlier, remove the Launcher from the Control Panels folder, and place it in the Startup Items folder. Restart your computer; Finder Hiding is deactivated.

Question 11: When I look in the Extensions Manager control panel, the names of some of the extensions installed by the JLK are listed as garbage text instead of Japanese characters.

Answer: The font that the Extensions Manager uses to display the extensions list is determined by the primary System Script, in this case the U.S. Script. The default views font for the U.S. Script is Geneva, which does not display Japanese characters properly. The Language Register does not support registering the Extensions Manager as a Japanese application.

Question 12: I have the JLK installed, along with the another Language Kit. I set the Views Font to Osaka. I can read English and Japanese file names in the Finder, but file names typed in the other language (Korean, for example) are unreadable.

Answer: The fonts included with each Language Kit are designed to support English characters and each Kit's specific language only. The Language Kits do not currently support viewing multiple languages (for example, Japanese and Korean) simultaneously with the same font. If you are using a WorldScript-aware word processing application like SimpleText, you can display multiple languages in the same document by ensuring that the text of each language is displayed in its correct font.
Published Date: Feb 19, 2012