===

1. In a console window, type

sudo apt-get install ibus

and give your password. Most likely it will say that ibus is already at the newest version, but we’re just making sure.
2. Go to System -> Administration -> Language Support
3. Click Install/Remove Languages…
4. Check Japanese, click ‘Apply changes’, let it install for a bit, and Close both windows
5. Go to System -> Preferences -> Keyboard Input Methods (in older versions this might be called iBus Preferences)
6. Switch to the Input Method tab
7. From the dropdown select Japanese -> Anthy and click Add
8. Close the window. By this time you should see a keyboard icon in the top Gnome bar. If you don’t, do step 9 and restart your computer.
9. To ensure that iBus is started every time you start your computer, go to System -> Preferences -> Startup Applications and Add an entry with the following data:

Name: iBus Daemon
Command: /usr/bin/ibus-daemon -d
Comment: To start the Japanese IME

Click Save and Close.
10. To switch between IME and normal keyboard, press Ctrl-Space Bar while in an input field. The icon in the top will switch from a keyboard to a crown or a sign saying ‘Aち’. Now you can type Japanese.

===

The IME itself works just like the Windows and OS X varieties, including F6/F7 kana switching.

Happy typing :)

Recently I installed a fresh copy of Linux Mint and discovered Mozc. Mozc is an IME based on Google’s IME, which is my IME of choice on Windows and Mac. (though maybe I may try Mozc on Mac since it’s supported…). Check it out here:
http://code.google.com/p/mozc/

Take a look at what Koichi had to say about Google IME if you’re not familiar with it:
http://www.tofugu.com/2011/02/16/google-japanese-ime-for-better-typing-in-japanese/

I’m unsure how Anthy compares, but I do know that Mozc DOES work with the Linux version of Skype (without flaw too).