⌘英かな
⌘英かな is a keyboard utility for macOS that allows users with US or international keyboards to switch between English and Japanese input modes using the left and right Command keys, mimicking the behaviour of the dedicated "English" and "Kana" keys found on Japanese JIS keyboards. It is particularly useful for Japanese language writers and developers working on US keyboards who want faster input mode switching without the toggle-based interaction of standard macOS input switching. The app sits in the menu bar and intercepts Command key presses to detect single taps versus keyboard shortcuts.
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1 suggestion⌘英かな appears to have been abandoned by its original author (last release in June 2017). However, a community member has actively maintained a fork with a full native Apple Silicon build since December 2025. This fork is now the recommended version and can be downloaded from eikana.dominion525.com. The native build runs efficiently on M-series Macs without Rosetta, has been updated to support macOS Sequoia and Tahoe (macOS 26), and is Apple-notarized for straightforward installation. Simply download the latest version from the distribution site and follow the on-screen setup instructions to grant the necessary input monitoring and accessibility permissions. If you were previously using the original 2017 version, note that the new fork has a different bundle ID, so you will need to update your accessibility permissions settings in System Settings (the migration instructions on the distribution site guide you through this). For the long term, this actively maintained fork ensures your keyboard utility will continue working after Apple removes Rosetta 2 in macOS 28 (September 2028).
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