Technical Support Coordinator, BAKA Computers

As we reported in TidBITS #173, at last month's Seybold conference Apple introduced the Japanese Language Kit, the first product to take advantage of the company's WorldScript technology. The kit allows Macintosh users to use Japanese characters on non-Japanese systems, and provides all the software components necessary to add Japanese text-handling capability to System 7.1. This means that if your software supports the appropriate WorldScript technology, you can use Japanese characters in your documents.

Rather than force people to use a fully-localized Japanese version of the Macintosh operating system, this new software allows System 7.1 users around the world to input, edit, and display Japanese characters regardless of what language they use to interact with their Macs. The Japanese Language Kit is intended for those who need to create Japanese documents and presentations, including (according to Apple) people in multinational businesses, publishers, government workers, students, teachers, and Japanese-speaking people.

The kit includes the necessary system software extension, the Kotoeri Japanese character input method, two Japanese TrueType fonts (HonMincho and MaruGothic), and the Osaka screen font, as well as documentation on using the Kotoeri input method. The Macintosh involved must have at least 4 MB of RAM, System 7.1, and at least 20 MB of available disk storage space.

The Japanese Language Kit retails for $249 and is available in the United States from Apple resellers and some other software resellers.

-- Information from:
Apple propaganda