Microsoft Windows Keyboard Input Language Hazard

Why can't windows run smooth?

I have English version of windows and i have to use japanese in a lot of situation but it never seems to work right.

first there is a key command to switch between japanese and english, which is Alt + Shift. yes it's horrible key command you can change it but that won't do any good.

anyways, when i switch from English to Japanese it switches to English Direct Input Mode in Japanese IME Standard. so yeah, it doesn't get switched at all. and i've reported this to Microsoft several times but they are never listening. the evil empire.. or they don't know how??

Japanese IME has several modes that are Hiragana, Katakana, 2 byte English, or 1 byte English(regular). which makes sense but they don't have proper shortcut keys for these things... so i always end up taking my mouse to change methods when i should be able to change it with quick commands. This is very frustrating especially for mac user like me who never have to worry about these thing any more.

If you use japanese keyboard, there are button that can switch between these Input modes in Japanese IME. but the thing is the layout of keys is just a little differnt from what i am used to(the english/american version). I can't even find @ mark on that one or i'm pressing wrong key because Return key on it is shaped a little different on it and there is one key right where i usually press return....

so i hope Microsoft really realize this stupid fact and follow mac.(again)

i like mac way better for that reason but i have to use this windows crap.
i want to go back to mac....agh....