How to Show Japanese Characters in Firefox

Using Japanese characters in Firefox is easier than you might think, as Firefox does not require configuring or downloading plugins to display them. Follow these tips in Windows XP to display Web pages in Japanese, begin writing emails in Japanese and viewing Firefox's interface and menus in Japanese characters.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Click on the "Start" menu in Windows XP. Select "Control Panel" and then "Regional and Language Options."
2. Select the "Regional Options" tab, locate "Standards and Formats" and select "Japanese" from the dropdown box.
3. Move to the "Languages" tab. Check "Install files for East Asian Languages."
4. Locate the "Advanced" tab and select "Japanese" under "Language for non-Unicode programs."
5. Return to the "Languages" tab and click "Details." Under "Installed Services" click "Add." Select "Japanese" and click "OK."
6. Select "Apply" on all windows.
7. Visit Firefox's official website. Download the Japanese version of Firefox and install it so that Firefox's native menus and interfaces appear in Japanese characters, too.

Tips & Warnings

• If the modifications to your computer don't change the characters to Japanese, visit Microsoft's website and download a Japanese language pack for Microsoft Office XP. You may need to electronically validate your copy of Microsoft Office before the website lets you download the language pack. Once you have downloaded and installed the language pack, reboot your computer.
• Switching your computer back the English language is easy. Simply follow these steps again and select "English" instead of Japanese. You may need to reboot you computer afterwards for the changes to take effect.
• Have your original Windows XP disc on hand in case your computer requires files to be copied from it and installed on the computer.