A system that converts Japanese text written in kanji (Chinese characters adopted for Japanese) into hiragana (a Japanese syllabary) facilitates comprehension for learners and individuals unfamiliar with complex characters. This conversion, sometimes referred to as furigana when hiragana is placed above or alongside kanji, offers a phonetic reading of the character. For example, the kanji character “” (, car) can be displayed with the corresponding hiragana “” either above or beside it.
This capability is crucial for language acquisition, enabling beginners to access and understand content that would otherwise be inaccessible due to character complexity. Furthermore, it provides accessibility for individuals with reading difficulties or those who have not yet mastered a broad range of kanji. Historically, this function has been employed in educational materials and texts designed for children to gradually introduce kanji while providing phonetic support.
