If you use MS Internet Explorer 4.0 or grater, download Global IME from Microsoft site. If you do not have MSIE 4.0, this link may jumps to MEIS site and if you are using Japanese MSIE, it will return an error message. You can install Japanese, Korean, Chinese (traditional and simplified) IMEs. Also, if you use Outlook Express or Outlook 98, you can use these characters in your E-Mail. Unfortunately this does not support any MS Office programs or MS Exchange since Global IME works only under the MS-IE influence.

The best result can be expected when you use OS's that are designed to use Japanese. In addition to various commercial software, there are some free-wares available. One Japanese site (written in English) by Mr. Emoto will be a good source of the information.

Windows 95/98 is sold in several languages such as Japanese, English, Korean, etc. To install 2 or 3 different Windows 95 or some other OS, you need multi boot-up system. The easiest way for Japanese and English is to use Switcher soled by K-Denshi. This program enables your computer to switch English and Japanese Windows 95/98. Windows 95 does not comply with FAT32. Therefore, you need to partition your HDD into several drives having less than 2,048 MB. Click here to obtain Switcher information from K-Denshi.

Multi OS boot-up system called "System Commander" is available from V Communications Inc. in San Jose CA. Japanese dealer is SOFTBOAT Inc. This program is soled from $50 to $70 depending on its version and can boot up more than 100 OS's in any language. Also it complies with FAT32. If you search "system commander" from EXCITE, etc., you will see various sites explaining this program in English and in Japanese. Here are some precautions these are not well explained in the System Commander (SC) user's manual:

GE's Japanese blanchs install English MS-Office and Japanese MS-Office under the Japanese Windows 95/98. In this case, if you double click .doc file, etc., Japanese version and English version starts at random. The best way to use English and Japanese Offices from Japanese mode is to install English Windows 96/98 and install English Office. Then install Japanese Windows 95/98 and Japanese Office in the different directory. To use English programs, use Windows short cut icons and specify operating directory to be the English version Windows System directory.

If you have Japanese OS such as Japanese Windows-95/98, Netscape Navigator or Communicator in English version can show Japanese web sites. From Option, select Japanese fonts and set language as Japanese and English. If you use Netscape 2.0, do not forget to click "Save Options". Netscape Navigator downloaded from Internet sometimes disables MS-IE.