FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0_14"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_14-b08)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 14.0-b16, mixed mode, sharing)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows XP
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

EXTRA RELEVANT SYSTEM CONFIGURATION :
Japanese 109 PS2 Keyboard Driver
Japanese 109 PS2 Keyboard


A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
Kana key on a Japanese 109 Keyboard does not generate the KeyEvents properly. Kana key is located between the Convert Key (Right of Space bar) and Right Alt key.

Use a Japanese native Windows XP or change the regional settings in Windows XP to Japanese by installing additional language packs for East Asian Languages.

Hitting the Kana key for the very first time on a Swing component generates a Key Release of 240 and NO key events are generated for subsequent press/releases of the Kana key. Using Right Alt with the Kana key produces a keycode of 245 every other time. Following is the output using KeyEventDemo:
 http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/uiswing/events/keylistener.html

KEY RELEASED:
    key code = 240 (Alphanumeric)
    modifiers = 0 (no modifiers)
    action key? YES
    key location: standard

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
Launch KeyEventDemo from http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/uiswing/events/keylistener.html

Hit the Kana key on the Japanese Keyboard
See the output in the KeyEventDemo. Looks as follows:

KEY RELEASED:
    key code = 240 (Alphanumeric)
    modifiers = 0 (no modifiers)
    action key? YES
    key location: standard


Use Right Alt as a modifier with the Kana key.
Right Alt + Kana key first time:

KEY PRESSED:
key code = 18 (Alt)
extended modifiers = 512 (Alt)
action key? NO
key location: right
KEY RELEASED:
key code = 245 (¿¿¿¿)
extended modifiers = 512 (Alt)
action key? YES
key location: standard
KEY RELEASED:
key code = 18 (Alt)
extended modifiers = 0 (no extended modifiers)
action key? NO
key location: right
----------------------------------------------------
Right Alt + Kana key second time:

KEY PRESSED:
key code = 18 (Alt)
extended modifiers = 512 (Alt)
action key? NO
key location: right
KEY RELEASED:
key code = 0 (Unknown keyCode: 0x0)
extended modifiers = 512 (Alt)
action key? NO
key location: standard
KEY RELEASED:
key code = 18 (Alt)
extended modifiers = 0 (no extended modifiers)
action key? NO
key location: right

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
Generate Key Press/Release for Kana Key

Also Using Right Alt + Kana should generate the correct Key Events without Unknown Keycodes every time and not every other time.
ACTUAL -
Using the Kana key generates only a Key release for keycode 240 (Alphanumeric) only for the first time

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
NO Work Around