Recommended Text Editors for Ubuntu: Best Choices by Use Case and Japanese Input Setup Guide

1. Introduction

Choosing a Text Editor on Ubuntu

Ubuntu is one of the most widely supported Linux distributions, favored by users ranging from beginners to advanced professionals. It is known for its user-friendly desktop environment and rich software ecosystem. One key factor that significantly affects productivity is the choice of a text editor.

From everyday note-taking to programming and system configuration, there are countless situations where you handle text on Ubuntu. Choosing an editor that fits your workflow directly improves efficiency and reduces frustration.

Japanese Input Issues Specific to Ubuntu

However, many users encounter difficulties related to Japanese text input when using text editors on Ubuntu.
Issues such as duplicated characters, input mode switching not working, or Japanese input being unavailable in certain editors are far more common on Linux distributions than on Windows or macOS.

This is because Ubuntu relies on a system called an Input Method (IM) to handle Japanese input. Misconfiguration or incompatibility between the IM and the editor often causes these problems.

Purpose of This Article and Benefits for Readers

This article clearly explains the following topics for Ubuntu users:

• Recommended text editors by use case
• Features, advantages, and disadvantages of each editor
• How to set up Japanese input on Ubuntu
• Common Japanese input problems and solutions
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

This guide is especially helpful for users struggling with Japanese input issues or unsure which editor to choose.

Whether you are new to Ubuntu or an experienced user looking for a more comfortable development or writing environment, this article is designed to support you.

2. [For Beginners] Types of Editors and How to Choose

What Is a Text Editor? Its Role on Ubuntu

A text editor is software used to create and edit plain-text files. On Ubuntu and other Linux systems, text editors are used for a wide range of purposes, including editing configuration files, writing programs, and taking notes.

You can think of them as equivalents to Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS. However, Ubuntu offers a much wider variety of editors tailored to different skill levels and use cases.

Difference Between GUI Editors and CLI Editors

Text editors on Ubuntu can be broadly divided into two categories: GUI editors and CLI editors.

• GUI (Graphical User Interface) Editors
  These editors provide a graphical interface and support mouse-based, intuitive operation. They are highly recommended for beginners. Examples include GNOME Text Editor and Visual Studio Code.
• CLI (Command Line Interface) Editors
  These editors run in the terminal and are operated primarily via the keyboard. Examples include Vim and nano. They are lightweight and fast but require time to master.

The best choice depends on your workflow and technical proficiency.

Difference Between Text Editors and Code Editors

Some text editors are specialized as code editors. The main differences are shown below.

Lightweight text editors are ideal for simple editing tasks, while development work benefits from feature-rich code editors.

Quick Reference: Editors by Use Case

The table below compares popular Ubuntu editors based on use case and Japanese language support.

Choosing the right editor based on this comparison can greatly improve your Ubuntu experience.

3. [By Use Case] 7 Recommended Text Editors for Ubuntu

3-1. GNOME Text Editor (formerly gedit)

A simple editor ideal for beginners and everyday use

This is the default GUI text editor for Ubuntu and was previously known as “gedit.” It is intuitive, lightweight, and highly stable.

• Key Features
• Simple interface with low resource usage
• Supports plugin-based extensions
• Tabbed editing supported
• Japanese Input Notes
  Japanese input usually works without issues. However, depending on the version or input method (IM), some users experience duplicate character input. In such cases, reverting to the legacy gedit version (explained later) can be effective.

3-2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

A highly popular, feature-rich editor for developers

A free source code editor provided by Microsoft. It supports a wide range of programming languages such as Python and JavaScript through its extensive extension ecosystem.

• Key Features
• IntelliSense-based code completion
• Built-in Git integration and terminal
• Japanese language support via language packs
• Installation on Ubuntu
  Can be easily installed via Snap or deb packages. Startup performance is relatively fast.
• Japanese Input Notes
  Some users encounter issues when using IBus + Mozc. Switching to Fcitx often results in more stable behavior.

3-3. nano

A lightweight and beginner-friendly terminal editor

nano is a command-line (CLI) text editor that is easy to use, even for beginners. It is frequently used for editing configuration files.

• Key Features
• Intuitive key operations with on-screen help
• No installation required on most Ubuntu systems
• Easy file saving and exit operations
• Japanese Input Notes
  Japanese input is possible, but display misalignment or line break issues may occur. Using UTF-8 encoding and a Japanese-compatible terminal font can help mitigate these issues.

3-4. Vim

A powerful CLI editor focused on keyboard efficiency

Vim is an enhanced version of vi and is widely used by Linux professionals. While it has a steep learning curve, it offers exceptional efficiency once mastered.

• Key Features
• Extremely fast startup and high customizability
• Supports macros and scripting for automation
• Can be extended with plugins to mimic GUI behavior
• Japanese Environment Notes
  With proper UTF-8 settings in .vimrc and a Japanese-capable terminal font, Vim can be used comfortably. However, some users may find Japanese conversion behavior slightly awkward without fine-tuning.

3-5. Emacs

A highly customizable, all-purpose editor

Alongside Vim, Emacs is one of the two major CLI editors. Although its operation style is unique, it can function as a full IDE once configured.

• Key Features
• Extensive extensibility based on Lisp
• Can handle email, calendars, and web browsing in addition to text editing
• GUI versions are also available
• Japanese Input Support
  Emacs has long emphasized multilingual support and generally works well with Japanese input. Integration with Mozc is smooth.

3-6. Sublime Text

A fast editor with a refined and modern UI

A popular cross-platform editor known for its speed and elegant interface. The free evaluation version has almost no functional limitations.

• Key Features
• Syntax highlighting for many programming languages
• Highly customizable keyboard shortcuts
• Handles large files efficiently
• Ubuntu and Japanese Input Notes
  Japanese input generally works, but issues such as invisible conversion candidate windows may occur. These can often be resolved through settings or plugins.

3-7. Mousepad / Kate

Simple editors for lightweight desktop environments

Mousepad is commonly used in Xfce environments, while Kate is standard in KDE. Both offer usability similar to GNOME Text Editor with excellent performance.

• Key Features
• Fast operation based on GTK (Mousepad) or Qt (Kate)
• Well suited for Ubuntu derivative distributions
• Supports multi-tab editing
• Japanese Input Notes
  Japanese input works reliably in most cases, making these editors ideal for users who want lightweight GUI editors with solid Japanese support.

4. Japanese Input Setup and Troubleshooting

Differences Between IBus and Fcitx

Ubuntu uses either IBus or Fcitx as its Japanese input method framework. The choice affects typing behavior and conversion stability.

For beginners, IBus + Mozc is recommended. However, some applications such as VS Code behave more reliably with Fcitx.

Installing Mozc and Basic Configuration

Mozc is an open-source Japanese input engine based on Google Japanese Input. It offers high conversion accuracy and is widely used on Ubuntu.

Mozc Installation Steps (Using IBus):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ibus-mozc

After installation, log out once and log back in.

Enabling the Input Method:

1. Open Settings → Region & Language → Input Sources
2. Click + and add Japanese (Mozc)
3. Switch input sources using a keyboard shortcut such as Super + Space

Using Fcitx Instead (Optional)

sudo apt install fcitx-mozc

After installation, select Mozc in the Fcitx configuration tool and adjust the input method priority if necessary.

Common Japanese Input Problems and Solutions

Due to input method issues, Ubuntu users may experience the following problems. Below are their causes and solutions.

Problem 1: Duplicate Character Input

Example: Characters appear twice during Hiragana input.

Main Causes:

• Compatibility issues between GNOME Text Editor or Electron-based apps
• Bugs in IBus or Mozc

Solutions:

• Revert to the legacy gedit editor

sudo apt install gedit

• Or switch to Fcitx + Mozc

Problem 2: Japanese Input Does Not Work at All

Main Causes:

• Input method not configured
• Japanese input engine not installed

Solutions:

• Run ibus-setup or fcitx-config-gtk3 and verify input method settings
• Confirm that the mozc package is installed
• Log out and log back in to restart the input method

Problem 3: Conversion Candidates Not Displayed in VS Code or Emacs

Main Cause:

• UI framework compatibility issues (Electron, GTK, etc.)

Solutions:

• Explicitly define environment variables in .bashrc

export GTK_IM_MODULE=ibus
export XMODIFIERS=@im=ibus

• Switching to Fcitx may also resolve the issue

Last Resort: Rebuilding the Input Method Environment

If problems persist, resetting and rebuilding the input method environment may help.

sudo apt purge ibus-mozc fcitx-mozc
sudo apt install fcitx-mozc

Afterward, reconfigure the input method using tools such as fcitx-config-gtk3.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why does GNOME Text Editor duplicate Japanese input?

Answer:
This issue is caused by compatibility problems between the newer GNOME Text Editor (the successor to gedit introduced in Ubuntu 22.04+) and the Japanese input system (IBus + Mozc).

Solutions:

• Install and use the legacy version of gedit

sudo apt install gedit

• Or switch to Fcitx + Mozc

Q2. Japanese input does not work in Visual Studio Code. What should I do?

Answer:
VS Code runs on Electron, which can cause compatibility issues with IBus or Fcitx.

Solutions:

• Switch to Fcitx + Mozc
• Set the following environment variables in .bashrc:

export GTK_IM_MODULE=fcitx
export QT_IM_MODULE=fcitx
export XMODIFIERS="@im=fcitx"

Q3. Why do nano or Vim display garbled Japanese characters?

Answer:
CLI editors depend heavily on terminal encoding and font configuration. If the terminal font does not support Japanese characters, display issues occur.

Solutions:

• Select a Japanese-compatible font such as Noto Sans Mono CJK JP in your terminal settings
• Add the following to .vimrc:

set encoding=utf-8
set fileencodings=utf-8,iso-2022-jp,euc-jp,sjis

Q4. Input mode switching shortcuts do not work

Answer:
Default Mozc shortcuts include Half-width/Full-width or Super + Space. These may not work depending on keyboard layout or IM configuration.

Solutions:

• Check Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts → Switch Input Source
• Customize key bindings in Mozc preferences

Q5. Conversion candidate windows do not appear in Emacs or Sublime Text

Answer:
This issue is caused by rendering or IM compatibility limitations.

Solutions:

• Switch to Fcitx + Mozc
• Disable suggestion windows in Mozc and use inline conversion mode

6. Summary and Next Steps

Editor Choice and Japanese Input Compatibility Matter

Ubuntu offers great flexibility, but editor selection and input method choice significantly affect usability.

This article covered:

• Differences between text editors and code editors
• GUI vs CLI editor characteristics
• Seven recommended editors by use case
• Japanese input setup using Mozc, IBus, and Fcitx
• Common issues and troubleshooting methods

Beginners will benefit from simple GUI editors such as GNOME Text Editor or Mousepad, while developers may prefer Visual Studio Code or Vim.

For Japanese input, Mozc serves as a solid foundation, but choosing the right IM framework based on editor compatibility is essential.

Problems Are Inevitable — Knowledge Is the Solution

Unexpected issues can occur depending on Ubuntu versions, environments, and editors. With the troubleshooting knowledge provided here, most problems can be resolved calmly and efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Ubuntu’s strength lies in its flexibility and customizability. Once you find the editor and input configuration that suits you, your workflow will improve dramatically.

We hope this article helps you take the next step toward a comfortable and productive Ubuntu environment.