diff --git a/strans.c b/strans.c
index 2480bdf..1b660be 100644
--- a/strans.c
+++ b/strans.c
@@ -142,10 +142,11 @@ isjp(Im *p)
 }
 
 /*
- * Japanese keeps completed kana in pre and an ambiguous romaji syllable in
- * raw.  A mapped raw suffix is part of the reading even while it remains
- * pending (notably n, which may still grow into nya).  Returns whether
- * the reading is complete.
+ * Japanese keeps completed kana, and any romaji that never became kana,
+ * in pre, and the romaji still being typed in raw.  A mapped raw suffix
+ * is part of the reading even while it remains pending (notably n,
+ * which may still grow into nya).  Returns whether the reading is
+ * complete.
  */
 static int
 jpreading(Trie *map, Str *pre, Str *raw, Str *s)
@@ -825,27 +826,20 @@ transition(u32int ks, u32int mod, Str *com)
 		/* Japanese confirms with the key; Korean and Telex let it on. */
 		return isjp(&im);
 	}
-	if(ks == Kback){
-		if(!haspre(&im))
-			return 0;
-		if(im.sel >= 0){
-			im.sel = -1;	/* back from the candidate to the reading */
-			return 1;
-		}
-		im.l->back(&im);
-		if(haspre(&im))
-			dictqjp();
-		else
-			reset();
-		return 1;
-	}
-	if(ks == Kesc){
+	if(ks == Kback || ks == Kesc){
 		if(!haspre(&im))
 			return 0;
 		if(im.sel >= 0)
-			im.sel = -1;
-		else
+			im.sel = -1;	/* back from the candidate to the reading */
+		else if(ks == Kesc)
 			reset();
+		else{
+			im.l->back(&im);
+			if(haspre(&im))
+				dictqjp();
+			else
+				reset();
+		}
 		return 1;
 	}
 	if(ks >= Kspec || chord(mod)){