Abstract: An improved Yomi and Kanji phrase editing method and system are provided. In accordance with the invention, a structured document editor includes a normal state, a Yomi state, a Kanji state, and an active state. In the normal state, when the operator types Yomi characters on the keyboard, the corresponding Yomi character is directly displayed on the display. In the Yomi state, when a Yomi character is typed on the keyboard, a Yomi text node structure is assembled. The text node structure in the Yomi state will include the Yomi character string along with control information. When the operator wishes to convert the Yomi phrases into the corresponding Kanji phrases, the Yomi string is accessed from the Yomi text node structure and is subjected to a conversion process. The process returns each Kanji phrase and the corresponding Yomi phrase and a bookmark to the conversion table which was used in carrying out the conversion.