Linuxtuki

Linuxtuki is a free and open-source Linux distribution designed to provide an approachable, efficient desktop experience with an emphasis on Japanese language support and education. It is built on Debian Stable and ships with a lightweight desktop environment, with Xfce as the default, and optional GNOME or KDE Plasma.

Created by a volunteer collective in 2011–2012, the project sought to combine Debian stability with accessibility for beginners and schools. The first release appeared in 2012; subsequent releases added language packs and localized documentation, expanding to a global community of contributors.

The distribution offers a Live ISO with Calamares installer, support for offline installation, and optional persistence on removable media. It emphasizes lightweight performance suitable for older hardware, supports Japanese input methods and internationalization, and preinstalls common productivity and educational software.

Linuxtuki uses the APT package manager and Debian-compatible repositories. It follows a semi-rolling release model, providing major stable ISO releases every six months, with ongoing security and bug-fix updates between releases.

It has found use in schools and community labs, particularly in regions with strong Japanese-language needs. Critics note its ease of use and localization, while some users report limited proprietary driver support on certain devices.

The project is maintained by a volunteer community and a non-profit foundation. It is released under free and open-source licenses, with sources available on public repositories and a central website for downloads and documentation.