# Japan Reader — Helps you read Japanese better

> Japanese reading comprehension tool with OCR, furigana, definitions, and vocabulary drills. (iPhone/iPad app by Brett Maurer.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japan-reader/id1528507629 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Brett Maurer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1658733408)
- Category: Education, Travel
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.73/5 from 11 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 91 MB
- Released: 2020-09-17
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japan-reader/id1528507629/reviews.md

## What is Japan Reader?

Read print Japanese better than ever before.

The Japan Reader app was created to help people who wish to improve their Japanese reading proficiency or who are simply trying to navigate life in Japan. The app attempts to assist readers with information only as they need it, helping to learn new vocabulary and improve reading speed.

Import images of a newspaper, magazine, textbook, or other print media. You can use a smartphone camera or scanner to make the images. Once they are in your device, add them to the Japan Reader library and you’re ready to read.

As you read a text page and encounter a word you do not know, touch the word to show the furigana and definition. Words are collected in a list as you read for later review and drilling.

SUPPORTS OVER 70 LANGUAGES
Provides dictionary definitions in more than 70 languages including Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English, Korean, French, German, and more.

OCR TECHNOLOGY TO ANALYZE PRINT TEXT
Uses optical character recognition technology to analyze print text, identify word furigana, and display definitions.

ASSEMBLES WORD LISTS AS YOUR READ
A word list is assembled as you read. Words are added to the list when you touch on the page to view a word's furigana or definition.

DRILL VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
Study with drills that challenge your memory using a word's original context. Other drills allow you to practice memory recall using queues from kanji, reading, or definitions.

In-App Purchases
Users who find the app useful can support it by making a donation.

## Key features

- Import print media via camera or scanner
- Instant furigana and definitions on word tap
- Automatic vocabulary list assembly
- Context-based vocabulary drills
- Supports over 70 languages for definitions
- OCR technology for text analysis

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 Credits | $0.99 | one-time |
| Donation to support the app. | $2.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japan-reader/id1528507629/reviews.md

### 4/5 — cannot import a photo

*2021-12-26, version 1.2.0*

The functions look good to me but I failed to add my first image. When I tried to add it from my photos, it has error and asks me to check my internet. But it is from my local iPad. Will you help to fix it? Thanks very much

### 5/5 — Amazing!

*2020-10-03, version 1.0.1*

Why didn’t I find this before!  It’s simple to use and actually translates the Japanese characters.

## Frequently asked questions about Japan Reader

### What is the primary function of Japan Reader?

Japan Reader helps users improve their Japanese reading skills by providing instant furigana and definitions for words in imported print media. It also allows users to build and drill vocabulary lists.

### How does Japan Reader help with learning vocabulary?

As you read, Japan Reader automatically assembles a list of words you look up. You can then use these words in context-based drills to practice memory recall and reinforce learning.

### Can Japan Reader be used for languages other than Japanese?

While the app's primary focus is on reading Japanese, its dictionary feature supports definitions in over 70 languages, including Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English, and Korean.

### What kind of print media can I import into Japan Reader?

You can import images of newspapers, magazines, textbooks, or any other print media using your smartphone camera or a scanner. These images are then added to your library within the app.

### Does Japan Reader offer offline functionality?

The provided description does not specify offline functionality. However, OCR technology and dictionary lookups typically require an internet connection.

### What is the user sentiment for Japan Reader?

Japan Reader has a high rating of 4.7 stars from 11 ratings, indicating generally positive user sentiment regarding its functionality and usefulness.

### Is Japan Reader suitable for young children?

Japan Reader is rated for ages 4 and up, making it accessible for a wide range of users. Its educational focus on language learning is appropriate for this age group.

### How often is Japan Reader updated?

The latest version of Japan Reader was released on December 19, 2022. The app is updated periodically to introduce new features and improvements.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.3.0 — 2022-12-19

- Camera function to take pictures from within the app.
- Fixed formatting bug in Read page.
- Various minor UI improvements and bug fixes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*