[Confluence Cloud] PDF export renders Japanese kanji with Chinese glyphs in code snippets despite Japanese font configuration

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    • 2
    • Severity 2 - Major
    • 6

      Issue Summary

      When exporting Confluence pages to PDF, Japanese kanji characters are rendered using Chinese glyphs instead of Japanese glyphs, particularly within inline code/code snippets.

      Environment

      • Product: Confluence Cloud
      • Affected customers: Multiple (at least 2 confirmed)
      • Font configurations tested:
        • Default Helvetica: All Japanese text shows Chinese glyphs
        • Noto Sans JP: Regular text OK, code snippets show Chinese glyphs
        • ipaexm.ttf: Regular text OK, code snippets show Chinese glyphs

      Steps to Reproduce

      1. Create a Confluence page with Japanese text including kanji (e.g., 監査, 役割)
      2. Add the same text within inline code using backticks: `監査`
      3. Configure PDF Language Support with Japanese font (Noto Sans JP or ipaexm.ttf)
      4. Export page to PDF
      5. Compare rendered glyphs

      Expected Results

      All Japanese kanji should render with Japanese glyphs (e.g., 監 with Japanese style)

      Actual Results

      • With default Helvetica: All Japanese text renders with Chinese glyphs
      • With Japanese fonts installed: Regular text renders correctly, but inline code/code snippets still render with Chinese glyphs

      Impact

      • Multiple customers affected
      • No complete workaround available
      • Affects document readability and professional appearance
      • Critical for Japanese customers using technical documentation

      Workaround

      1. Install a Japanese font in PDF Export Language Support settings instead of using the default Helvetica font:
         - Tested fonts: Noto Sans JP, ipaexm.ttf
         - Configuration guide: https://support.atlassian.com/confluence-cloud/docs/create-pdf-using-custom-font/

      2. Avoid using inline code snippets (the "Code" button under Strikethrough in the formatting toolbar) for Japanese text.
         - Note: Code macro blocks work correctly and are not affected.

              Assignee:
              Unassigned
              Reporter:
              Kyungmin Kim
              Votes:
              3 Vote for this issue
              Watchers:
              4 Start watching this issue

                Created:
                Updated: