# mozc

> free and open-source Japanese input method editor by Google

**Wikidata**: [Q114801359](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114801359)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mozc

## Summary
Mozc is a free and open-source Japanese input method editor (IME) developed by Google. It serves as the core engine for Google Japanese Input and is available across multiple platforms, including Android, Microsoft Windows, and macOS. The software is licensed under the 3-clause BSD License.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Google
- **License:** 3-clause BSD License
- **Category:** Free and open-source software, Japanese input method, Mobile app
- **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android
- **Source Repository:** https://github.com/google/mozc
- **Base Project:** Based on Google Japanese Input
- **Country of Origin:** Japan
- **Input Method:** Supports touchscreen input
- **Aliases:** モズク (Mozuku)
- **Distribution:** Available via digital download, including F-Droid (package: `org.mozc.android.inputmethod.japanese`)

## FAQs
### Q: What exactly is Mozc?
A: Mozc is a free and open-source input method editor (IME) that allows users to type Japanese characters. It was originally developed by Google and is based on the same engine used in Google Japanese Input.

### Q: Is Mozc free to use?
A: Yes, Mozc is free and open-source software released under the 3-clause BSD License, allowing for broad usage and modification.

### Q: What operating systems does Mozc support?
A: Mozc runs on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Android. It is also utilized in various Linux distributions (such as Mageia and Arch Linux) through specific software packages.

### Q: How is Mozc distributed on mobile devices?
A: For Android devices, Mozc is distributed as a mobile app and is available via platforms like F-Droid under the package name `org.mozc.android.inputmethod.japanese`.

## Why It Matters
Mozc plays a significant role in the accessibility and localization of software for Japanese users. As an open-source project spearheaded by a major technology company like Google, it provides a high-quality, robust typing engine that rivals proprietary solutions. By releasing Mozc under a permissive BSD license, Google has enabled the developer community to integrate Japanese input capabilities into a wide variety of environments and operating systems without licensing fees.

This project solves the critical problem of text input for the Japanese language, which requires complex conversion from phonetic characters (kana) to logographic characters (kanji). Its availability on major desktop and mobile operating systems ensures that users have a consistent and reliable typing experience across devices. Furthermore, its presence in repositories like F-Droid and Arch Linux highlights its importance to the open-source ecosystem, serving as a bridge between proprietary corporate software development and community-driven Linux distributions.

## Notable For
- Being the open-source core of **Google Japanese Input**.
- Supporting a **cross-platform** experience across Windows, macOS, and Android.
- Utilizing a **touchscreen** input interface on mobile devices.
- Being available on **F-Droid**, a repository for free and open-source Android apps.
- Inclusion in major Linux distribution repositories (e.g., **Arch Linux**, **Mageia**) despite not being an OS itself, indicating high demand in the Linux community.

## Body

### Development and Origin
Mozc is a Japanese input method editor (IME) developed by **Google**, an American multinational technology company. While the software is developed by Google, its country of origin is listed as **Japan**. The project acts as the open-source foundation for "Google Japanese Input," sharing the same underlying engine and conversion logic. The source code is publicly hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/google/mozc`.

### Licensing and Software Type
The software is classified as **free and open-source software** (FOSS). It is distributed under the **3-clause BSD License**, a permissive license that allows for redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification. This distinguishes it from proprietary input methods, allowing for greater transparency and community contribution.

### Platform Availability
Mozc is designed to function across several distinct operating environments:
*   **Desktop:** It supports **Microsoft Windows** (family of operating systems developed by Microsoft) and **macOS** (operating system for Apple computers).
*   **Mobile:** It functions as a **mobile app** on **Android** (operating system created by Google).
*   **Input:** The software supports **touchscreen** inputs, particularly relevant for its mobile implementation.

### Distribution and Integration
Mozc is distributed via digital download. Specific integration details include:
*   **F-Droid:** The Android version is available on F-Droid with the package ID `org.mozc.android.inputmethod.japanese`.
*   **Linux Integration:** While specific OS support varies by distribution, the software has dedicated packages such as `mozc-tools` in Mageia and a dedicated ArchWiki article, indicating strong support within the Linux ecosystem.
*   **Digital Distribution:** It is categorized as a digitally downloaded application.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Mozc",
  "description": "Free and open-source Japanese input method editor by Google.",
  "url": "https://github.com/google/mozc",
  "operatingSystem": ["Android", "Microsoft Windows", "macOS"],
  "applicationCategory": "UtilitiesApplication",
  "offers": {
    "@type": "Offer",
    "price": "0",
    "priceCurrency": "USD"
  },
  "author": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Google"
  },
  "license": "https://opensource.org/licenses/BSD-3-Clause"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/google/mozc/blob/master/README.md)
2. [Source](https://github.com/google/mozc/blob/afb03ddfe72dde4cf2409863a3bfea160f7a66d8/LICENSE)
3. [The mozc Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/mozc/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
4. [Source](https://f-droid.org/packages/org.mozc.android.inputmethod.japanese/)