Japanese Keyboard Checker - Test Your JIS Keyboard and IME Keys Online
Test every key on your Japanese JIS keyboard or QWERTY keyboard with Japanese IME detect dead keys, stuck keys, and broken input switching keys including 半角/全角, 変換, and 無変換.
The TechTester Japanese keyboard checker lets you test every key on your Japanese keyboard directly in your browser whether you use a standard JIS keyboard bought in Japan or a QWERTY keyboard with Japanese IME input. Press any key and watch it register on the visual keyboard display in real time. The tool detects dead keys that produce no output, stuck keys that remain active without being pressed, and ghosting when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. Crucially, it also detects whether your Japanese-specific function keys are working including the 半角/全角 (Hankaku/Zenkaku) toggle, the 変換 (Henkan) conversion key, the 無変換 (Muhenkan) non-conversion key, and the ひらがな/カタカナ (Hiragana/Katakana) switch. Free, works in Chrome and Edge on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
What the TechTester Japanese keyboard checker tests
The TechTester Japanese keyboard checker uses the browser KeyboardEvent API to detect every key press, including the Japanese-specific function keys that standard keyboard testers miss. Here is what it checks:
Standard key detection
Every letter, number, punctuation, and modifier key registers on press. Detects dead keys that produce no output and stuck keys that remain active without being pressed.
Japanese IME function keys
Tests 半角/全角, 変換, 無変換, and ひらがな/カタカナ keys the most commonly broken keys on Japanese keyboards. Confirms each one sends the correct keycode to the browser.
JIS specific key mapping
Confirms ¥ key registers correctly (JIS position differs from QWERTY backslash), @ key position (JIS: right of P key), and [ ] bracket positions which differ from QWERTY.
Ghosting detection
Tests whether multiple simultaneous Japanese key combinations register correctly important for IME shortcut users who rely on key combinations for script switching.
QWERTY IME key mapping
For QWERTY keyboard users typing Japanese via IME, confirms that Alt+` (Zenkaku/Hankaku on US layout), Windows+Space, and Ctrl+Caps Lock produce the expected keycodes.
Key code display
Shows the raw keyCode, key name, and code value for every press useful for developers building Japanese IME applications who need to verify exact scancode output.
The 5 Japanese specific JIS keyboard keys explained
A JIS keyboard has five keys that do not exist on any standard QWERTY keyboard. These are the keys most commonly broken after Windows updates, keyboard driver reinstalls, or when using a JIS keyboard on a non Japanese OS. Use the TechTester checker to confirm each one registers correctly:
Key | Japanese | Reading | Function |
半角/全角 | 半角/全角 | Hankaku/Zenkaku | Toggles between half-width (English) and full-width (Japanese) character input. Most important IME key. Top-left of keyboard. |
変換 | 変換 | Henkan | Converts hiragana input to kanji. Pressed after typing romaji to select the correct kanji character. Right of spacebar. |
無変換 | 無変換 | Muhenkan | Non-conversion key. Keeps input as hiragana/katakana without converting to kanji. Left of spacebar. |
ひらがな/カタカナ | ひらがな/カタカナ | Hiragana/Katakana | Switches between hiragana and katakana input modes. Right of 変換 key. |
英数/かな | 英数 / かな | Eisu / Kana | On Apple JIS keyboards: 英数 (Eisu) switches to English, かな (Kana) switches to Japanese. One on each side of spacebar. |
JIS keyboard symbol positions vs QWERTY key differences
JIS keyboards place several common symbols in different positions from QWERTY. This is one of the most confusing aspects of switching between keyboard layouts. Use TechTester to confirm your JIS symbols are mapping correctly:
Symbol | On QWERTY | On JIS keyboard |
@ (at sign) | Shift + 2 | Dedicated key right of P |
[ (open bracket) | [ | Dedicated key right of @ |
] (close bracket) | ] | Dedicated key right of [ |
\ (backslash) | \ | ¥ key produces \ in code on JIS |
¥ (yen sign) | Not available | Dedicated key top right of keyboard |
_ (underscore) | Shift + – | Shift + ¥ on JIS |
| (pipe) | Shift + \ | Shift + ¥ on JIS |
: (colon) | Shift + ; | Dedicated key right of ; on JIS |
* (asterisk) | Shift + 8 | Shift + : on JIS |
( (open paren) | Shift + 9 | Shift + 8 on JIS |
) (close paren) | Shift + 0 | Shift + 9 on JIS |
How to test your Japanese keyboard online 4 steps
Step 1 Open the Japanese keyboard checker and select your layout
Open techtester.online/japanese-keyboard-checker/ in Chrome or Edge. Select your keyboard type using the tabs at the top of the tool: JIS Layout if you have a physical Japanese keyboard bought in Japan, or QWERTY + IME if you have a standard QWERTY keyboard using Japanese IME for input. The visual keyboard display updates to show the correct layout for your selection.
Step 2 Switch your system to Japanese input mode
Before testing Japanese specific keys, switch your OS to Japanese input mode. On Windows: press Windows key + Space to toggle IME, or click the language indicator in the taskbar and select Japanese. On Mac: click the Input Source menu in the menu bar and select Hiragana. Once Japanese IME is active, your Japanese specific function keys will register correctly in the tester.
Step 3 Press every key including Japanese function keys
Press every key on your keyboard one at a time. Standard keys should light up immediately on press. Then specifically test the five Japanese function keys listed in Section D: 半角/全角, 変換, 無変換, ひらがな/カタカナ, and 英数/かな. Each should produce a distinct highlight when pressed. Any key that does not light up is either broken or not registering the correct keycode see the fix guides in Section G.
Step 4 Test JIS symbol positions
If you are using a JIS keyboard, press each symbol key and confirm it produces the expected character using the JIS vs QWERTY symbol table in Section E. Pay particular attention to the @ key (right of P on JIS), the ¥ key (top right), and the colon and bracket positions which all differ from QWERTY.
Japanese keyboard not working? 6 fixes to try
Fix 1 半角/全角 key not working (most common)
The Hankaku/Zenkaku toggle key stops working most often after a Windows language settings change or a Windows update that resets keyboard type detection. Windows may be treating your JIS keyboard as a 101-key English keyboard rather than a 106 key Japanese keyboard, which means the 半角/全角 key scancode is not being mapped correctly.
Fix on Windows 10 and 11: Settings then Time and Language then Language and Region then Japanese then Language options then Hardware keyboard layout then Change layout then Japanese keyboard (106/109 key) then OK then restart. After restarting the 半角/全角 key should register correctly in the TechTester checker.
Fix 2 変換 and 無変換 keys not working
These keys fail when the Windows keyboard type is set incorrectly (same as Fix 1) or when the Japanese IME is not the active input source. Confirm Japanese IME is active in your taskbar language indicator before testing. If the keys still do not register after setting keyboard type to 106/109 key Japanese, uninstall and reinstall the Japanese language pack: Settings then Time and Language then Language then Japanese then Remove then re-add Japanese.
Fix 3 Japanese keyboard typing wrong symbols (JIS vs QWERTY conflict)
If pressing the @ key on your JIS keyboard produces a different symbol, or the ¥ key does not work, Windows is treating the keyboard as US QWERTY layout while a JIS keyboard is physically connected. This is the most common problem for people who buy a Japanese laptop outside Japan or connect a JIS keyboard to a non-Japanese PC. Apply Fix 1 to set the keyboard type to 106/109 key Japanese. The symbol positions will then match the JIS layout shown in Section E.
Fix 4 Japanese IME not working after Windows update
Windows updates occasionally reset the IME configuration. If Japanese input stops working entirely after a Windows update: Settings then Time and Language then Language then Japanese then Options then confirm Microsoft IME is listed under Keyboards. If it is missing click Add a keyboard and add Microsoft IME. Then click Microsoft IME then Options then confirm all settings are correct.
Fix 5 Japanese keyboard not working on Mac
On macOS, adding a JIS keyboard: System Settings then Keyboard then Input Sources then click + then search Japanese then add Hiragana or Katakana as needed. To set the correct keyboard type for a physical JIS keyboard connected via USB: Apple menu then System Settings then Keyboard then change Keyboard type to JIS. If the keyboard type detection prompt does not appear automatically when you connect the JIS keyboard, go to System Settings then Keyboard then Keyboard Setup Assistant.
Fix 6 Japanese keys detected in TechTester but not working in apps
If the TechTester Japanese keyboard checker shows all keys registering correctly but specific keys do not work in a particular application, the issue is application-specific rather than a hardware or driver problem. Some applications capture key combinations before the OS processes them. Check the application keyboard shortcuts settings and look for any shortcuts that override your Japanese IME keys. This is particularly common in IDEs and code editors where Ctrl+Space or similar shortcuts conflict with Japanese IME conversion.
How to enable Japanese keyboard input on Windows and Mac
Enable Japanese IME on Windows 10 and 11
- Open Settings then click Time and Language then Language and Region
- Click Add a language and search for Japanese
- Select Japanese and click Next then Install
- After installation press Windows key and Space bar to cycle between English and Japanese input
- The taskbar shows JP (Japanese) when Japanese IME is active and EN when English is active
- To type in hiragana select Hiragana mode from the IME toolbar or press the ひらがな/カタカナ key on JIS keyboards
- Press 変換 after typing romaji to convert to kanji and select from conversion candidates
Enable Japanese input on macOS
- Open System Settings then Keyboard then Input Sources
- Click the plus button and search for Japanese
- Add Hiragana for Japanese input (also add Katakana if needed)
- Use Command and Space to switch between input sources
- The Input Source menu in the menu bar shows A for English and あ for Japanese
- On Apple JIS keyboards use the 英数 key to switch to English and the かな key to switch to Japanese these are faster than Command+Space
TechTester Japanese keyboard checker vs other keyboard testers
Other keyboard testers limitations
No keyboard tester has a dedicated Japanese keyboard mode
Generic keyboard checkers show QWERTY only no JIS layout
No site detects 半角/全角, 変換, 無変換 key registration
No site shows JIS vs QWERTY symbol position differences
Virtual Japanese typing tools are not keyboard checkers
No site has Japanese specific fix guides for broken IME keys
No site explains 106/109 key Windows setting fix
No site covers JIS keyboard setup for Mac
TechTester your advantage
Dedicated JIS keyboard layout display with all Japanese keys
Tests all 5 Japanese function keys: 半角/全角 変換 無変換 ひらがな かな
JIS vs QWERTY symbol difference reference table
Raw keyCode display for developer and QA testing
6 fix guides for Japanese keyboard problems OS specific
Windows 106/109 key setting fix most common JIS problem
Mac JIS keyboard setup guide included
Part of TechTester hub also test Arabic, gamepad, mic, GPU
FAQ:
Open techtester.online/japanese-keyboard-checker/ in Chrome or Edge. Select JIS Layout or QWERTY + IME depending on your keyboard type. Switch your OS to Japanese input mode, then press every key including the five Japanese function keys (半角/全角, 変換, 無変換, ひらがな/カタカナ, 英数/かな). Each key lights up on the visual display when registered. Completely free, no download, no signup.
The most common cause is Windows treating your JIS keyboard as an English 101 key keyboard rather than a Japanese 106 key keyboard. Fix: Settings then Time and Language then Japanese then Language options then Hardware keyboard layout then change to Japanese keyboard 106/109 key then restart. The key should then register correctly.
A JIS keyboard keeps the same QWERTY letter arrangement but adds five Japanese-specific function keys (半角/全角, 変換, 無変換, ひらがな/カタカナ, 英数/かな) around the spacebar, uses an L shaped Enter key, places the @ symbol as a dedicated key right of P, and uses ¥ instead of backslash. Several other symbol positions differ from QWERTY.
Yes but the five Japanese function keys will not produce any output without Japanese IME installed. The letter and number keys all work normally. To use the Japanese function keys add Japanese as an input language in Windows Settings then Time and Language, or in Mac System Settings then Keyboard then Input Sources.
Install Japanese IME via Windows Settings then Time and Language then Add a language then Japanese. Press Windows + Space to switch to Japanese input. Type romaji phonetically (e.g. type ka to produce か) and press 変換 or Space to convert to kanji. On Mac add Hiragana via System Settings then Keyboard then Input Sources.
Your JIS keyboard is being treated as an English QWERTY layout by Windows. Go to Settings then Time and Language then Japanese then Language options then Hardware keyboard layout and change to Japanese keyboard 106/109 key. After restarting symbol positions will match the JIS layout.
Yes. The TechTester Japanese keyboard checker works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on macOS. The five Japanese function keys register correctly on both JIS keyboards connected via USB and on MacBook keyboards with Japanese layout. Follow the Mac setup guide in Section H to enable Japanese input.
変換 (Henkan) means conversion. It is the key to the right of the spacebar on a JIS keyboard and is pressed after typing romaji to convert the phonetic input into kanji characters. The IME suggests possible kanji and pressing 変換 repeatedly cycles through conversion candidates.