[Survey Results] 75%/65% Do you not need a special key in the right row on your keyboard? The result.

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I am sure that not a few of you have the idea that “75% layout is a bit too much” mainly because “there is a special key in the right-hand row.”

After all, many of us can probably nod our heads in agreement that having keys next to “Enter”, “BackSpace”, etc. on the right side, where they are used most frequently, increases the number of miss-touches.

Kawamura top RKawamura

This seems to be a common topic for both Japanese and English sequences.

As for Flow2, which has been the focus of much attention recently, it is also in the form of a single row of special keys on the right.

Also, as for NuPhy Air75v3, it has a similar special key with a single row of right keys.

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Image reference: https://nuphy.com/collections/keyboards/products/nuphy-air75-v3-page

However, it is also true that these keys are actually quite useful and become “indispensable” keys when learned in Excel and browser operations.

We have conducted a survey to see what people think about the 75% layout “single right column,” and we share the results with you.

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76% of respondents answered that the special key in the right row is “unnecessary”.

Approximately 76% of the survey respondents indicated that they do not need a special key in the right-hand row.

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  • Survey method: Submission format by X
  • Response period: June 14-15, 2025 (1 day)
  • Number of valid responses: 156
  • Response Breakdown:
    • Not necessary”|119 votes (76.9%)
    • Necessary”|36 votes (23.1%)

The original post is here ▷▷▷.

After all, there seems to be a need for a certain number of “unnecessary” products.

On the other hand, those who answered “necessary” also expressed the following opinions.

I need HOME/END/PGUP/PGDN because I use them a lot as shortcut keys for Ctrl + etc. in Excel and other applications. I have never used a keyboard without a single right column. I am a touch typist, but I don’t miss many touches by having the right column.

@ta_kobayan

A keyboard that dares to eliminate one right column also exists.

In fact, these stories have been around for quite some time, and some of them are actually reflected in products.

Real Force|RC1

mainphoto
Image reference: https://www.realforce.co.jp/products/C1HJ11/

LEOPOLD|FC660MBT

FC660MBTroma top
Image reference: https://store.leopold.co.jp/products/fc660mbt-jnegb

There is also an approach to preventing mistouch by physically separating them, as shown here.

Keychron Q1

keychronq1japanjislayoutqmkvia75
Image reference: https://kopek.jp/products/keychron-q1knob/

Which side are you on?

Therefore, regarding the special keys in the right row, the majority of the respondents in this survey were in the “unnecessary” camp.

However, it is also true that the survey can only be used as a “reference” due to the small number of people surveyed.

Which group are you in?

Kawamura top RKawamura

Some people would find it useful, but others would not, and those who would be happy without it but “want it to be there” would not buy it… This is a bit of a problem from a marketing point of view.
We are currently developing such “itchy” products, so please look forward to them.

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Avatar of 河村 亮介 Ryosuke Kawamura Greenkeys chief editor

Ryosuke Kawamura is the Editor-in-Chief of Greenkeys and the founder of GreenEchoes Studio.

He covers mechanical keyboards, custom keyboards, and input devices through reviews, interviews, hands-on testing, photography, and editorial work. He has reviewed more than 100 products and regularly reports on JIS-layout compatibility and trends in the Japanese keyboard market.

He also founded the Japan Layout Alliance (JLA), an industry collaboration initiative aimed at improving compatibility for Japanese-layout keyboards.

Greenkeys values editorial independence and transparency. Product samples, advertising relationships, and affiliate links are disclosed within each article.

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