Katakana Phonetic Extensions Unicode Block

Katakana Phonetic Extensions is a small set of characters used primarily for writing the Ainu language, which is spoken by the indigenous Ainu people of Japan. These extensions consist of modified katakana syllables and small combining marks that represent sounds not found in standard Japanese, such as the final consonants and vowel combinations typical of Ainu phonology. The characters include variants of basic katakana with diacritical marks, like a small “pu” or a special “w” form, enabling accurate transcription of Ainu words that standard katakana cannot express. This addition supports the preservation and documentation of the Ainu language, complementing the main katakana block by filling specific phonetic gaps without altering the core Japanese writing system.