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Tools to turn your devices into Japanese-only mode visualisation

Tools to turn your devices into Japanese-only mode

Discover Japanese: Home-based Immersion Techniques: Tools to turn your devices into Japanese-only mode
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There is no single universal tool that fully converts devices to Japanese-only mode, but several methods and tools exist to achieve this effect in different contexts:

  1. Change Device Language and Region to Japanese:
  • Most smartphones, tablets, and computers allow setting the system language and region to Japanese in the device settings. This changes menus, system messages, and compatible app languages to Japanese.
  1. Create Japanese Region Accounts:
  • For app stores (Google Play, Apple App Store), creating a Japanese region account unlocks access to Japan-only apps and localized content.
  • This is common for accessing Japanese apps unavailable outside Japan.
  1. Use Japanese Keyboards/Input Methods:
  • Installing a Japanese keyboard/input method on devices (such as Gboard or iWnn IME) allows typing in Japanese.
  • Switching input methods lets users type kana, kanji, and romaji as needed.
  1. Specialized Tools for Specific Devices:
  • For Google Pixel phones, it is possible to change the device’s model number in the devinfo file to a Japanese variant to enable Japan-specific features like Osaifu Keitai (mobile wallet).
  • In cameras or other devices, firmware tweaks may unlock Japanese or multilingual menus.
  1. Set Japanese as App Language Individually:
  • Some apps allow setting their language individually to Japanese regardless of device language.
  • Android supports per-app language settings starting Android 13.

Examples of popular Japan-only or Japan-preferred apps include Rakuten Bank, Suica, PayPay, and local GPS/navigation apps like カーナビ.

If full immersion is desired, change all system settings (language, region) to Japanese, use a Japanese keyboard, create a Japanese app store account, and selectively install Japanese-exclusive apps. This approach effectively turns devices into Japanese-only mode for user experience.

If desired, guidance can be provided for specific device types (Android, iPhone, Windows, etc.) on how to apply these settings and tools. Would you like a walkthrough for a particular device?

References

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