Google Japanese Input
Free- Category
- System tools
- Version
- 3.34.6260.0
- Manifest checked
- 2026-10-23
- Size
- ~45 MB
- Licence terms
- Free for personal and business use
- Supported OS
- Windows 11 · 10
- Install method
- Automatic install supported
- Developer
- Downloads via this site
This links to Google’s own download source. AfterFormat neither stores nor modifies installer files.
Check before installing
- It replaces the Microsoft IME built into Windows. After installing, change the default input method from the taskbar.
- Some of what you type may be sent to Google to improve conversion. You can turn that off in the settings.
What it is
Google’s input method for Japanese. Japanese requires a program that converts what you type in Latin letters into hiragana, katakana and kanji — that is what an IME does. This one converts more accurately than the Microsoft IME built into Windows, particularly for names, places and recent coinages, which is why it is the common choice in Japan.
When to pick this
If you type Japanese regularly. For the occasional word or two, the Microsoft IME included with Windows is enough.
Details
Conversion accuracy
Candidates are drawn from vocabulary gathered across the web, so personal names, place names and newly coined words come up correctly. The difference shows most when converting a long sentence at once.
After installing
To replace the Windows default you have to change the input method from the taskbar. Installing alone does not switch it.
Privacy
Some of what you type may be sent to Google to improve conversion. It can be disabled in settings — worth checking first on a work machine.
After a reformat
Export the user dictionary
Words you registered can be saved to a file via the dictionary tool → Export. Skip this before formatting and the entries are lost. Conversion learning history cannot be exported and builds up again from scratch.
Set it as the default IME
After install, switch the Japanese input method to it under Windows Settings → Time & language → Language.
Distribution
- winget ID
- Google.JapaneseIME
- Redistribution policy
- Official source link only
- Manifest checked
- 2026-10-23
- Official site
- https://www.google.co.jp/ime/
The date the version and installer URL were checked in winget. This is separate from a usage-terms review or an installation test.
Original winget manifest