Type of computer keys
Language input keys, which are usually found on Japanese and Korean keyboards, are keys designed to translate letters using an input method editor (IME). On non-Japanese or Korean keyboard layouts using an IME, these functions can usually be reproduced via hotkeys, though not always directly corresponding to the behavior of these keys.
Keys for Japanese keyboards.
The OADG 109A and older 109 keyboard layouts which are the standard for Microsoft Windows have five dedicated language input keys: 
Apple keyboards designed for Mac OS X have two language input keys: alphanumeric () and kana ().
The keyboards for NEC PC-9800 series, which was dominant in Japan during the 1980s and early 1990s, have three language input keys: kana, NFER (no transfer, same as non-conversion), XFER (transfer, same as conversion).
For non-Japanese keyboards, the following shortcuts can be used for typing Japanese on English keyboard with Windows:
Half-width/Full-width/Kanji.
 toggles between entering half-width or full-width characters (if 2 versions of same character exists), and also between IME on (for Japanese, see Kanji key) and off (for English, see Alphanumeric key). Prior Windows 98 and older systems, the key was only with Half-width/Full-width function.
Kanji.
Used to switch between entering Japanese and English text. It is not found as a separate key in the modern Japanese 106/109-key keyboard layout. On the Common Building Block (CBB) Keyboard for Notebooks, as many 106/109-key keyboards, the Kanji key is located on the Half-width/­Full-width key, and needs the key .
It is found as a separate key on the IBM PS/55 5576-001 keyboard. On the IBM PS/55 5576-002 keyboard, it is mapped to the left Alt key.
Alphanumeric.
 toggles alphanumeric characters. In the Japanese 106/109-key layout, it is located on the Caps Lock key. Pressing Alphanumeric/Caps Lock key alone actually means alphanumeric function, a user has to press key to get the caps lock function.
Conversion.
 is used to convert kana to kanji. In the Microsoft IME, Conversion selects conversion candidates on highlighted input, and is used to display the previous candidate, or "zenkōho" (前候補). The alt version of this key is also pronounced "zenkōho" (全候補), which means "all candidates", shows all input candidates.
Non-conversion.
 specifies that the kana characters entered are not to be converted into kanji candidates.
Katakana/Hiragana/Rōmaji.
 used to switch between hiragana or katakana characters. It can also be found for switching between hiragana, katakana and rōmaji as shown below. or (this feature is printed as on the same key) toggles between rōmaji input and direct kana input in some IMEs (e.g. Microsoft IME).
Keys for Korean keyboards.
The standard keyboard layout for IBM PC compatibles of South Korea is almost identical to the U.S. layout, with some exceptions:
Han/Yeong (한/영).
It toggles between entering Korean (Hangul) and English (ISO basic Latin alphabet).
Many computer systems support alternative keys or key sequences for keyboards without the Han/Yeong key. It is absent from the keyboards of most portable computers in South Korea, where the right key is used instead. On the right key of these devices, only "한/영" (Han/Yeong) or both "한/영" (Han/Yeong) and "Alt" are printed.
Hanja (한자).
It converts Hangul to Chinese characters (hanja) or some special characters.
Many computer systems support alternative keys or key sequences for keyboards without the Hanja key. It is absent from the keyboards of most portable computers in South Korea, where the right key is used instead. On the right key of these devices, only "한자" (Hanja) or both "한자" (Hanja) and "Ctrl" are printed.
Notes and references.
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