Hello,

When you search from your search bar, does it go to:

• https://www.google.co.jp/

Try checking the XML for the search plugin:

• C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\browser\searchplugins\google.xml
• Also make sure that the default isn't being overridden: %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<your_profile>\searchplugins\
  • Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data

Make sure every Google reference in that XML file shows "google.com" and nothing else.

This issue can be caused by corrupted cookies or cookies that are blocked.

• check the permissions on the about:permissions page and in "Tools > Page Info

Clear the cache and remove cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

• Firefox/Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

• Firefox/Tools > Options > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Do a malware check with several malware scanning programs on the Windows computer. Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware. All these programs have free versions.

Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:
  http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
• AdwCleaner:
  http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
  http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml
• SuperAntispyware:
  http://www.superantispyware.com/
• Microsoft Safety Scanner:
  http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
• Windows Defender:
  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-defender
• Spybot Search & Destroy:
  http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
• Kasperky Free Security Scan:
  http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan

You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.

• Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller:
  http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446

See also:

• "Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware

I have tried several trojan/virus scanners and found nothing. I emptied my cookies, checked the XML and found just google.com entries but I keep getting search results from google.co.jp. I tried a reinstall of Firefox and also resetting all setting to default and no change. I switched to yahoo and it searched just yahoo.com...This is a frustrating problem. The problem also happened when I highlight something with my mouse and right click and select search with google. =(

What happens if you run in safe mode?

Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

• Click the menu button , click Help and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

• On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

OMG my computer must be haunted! Even in safe mode the search bar still returns searches from the google.jp we site!!!!!! This is crazy!!!!!!

How is your location reported?

• http://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/network-location/
• http://whatismyipaddress.com/

I tried both of the sites mentioned above and both report my correct location in Canada

this issue is now larger than I thought. I get google.co.jp results when using IE and Chrome search bars. I never get sent to any xxx or weird sites when I search as many redirect search virus's do. For whatever reason any google search I do through a search bar on any of my browsers uses google.co.jp. If I type www.google.com into the address part it will take me exactly to that site and not the japanese google

What virus scanners have you used so far? Can you try also testing (search bars and antivirus) in Windows Safe mode? Another thing to check could be language settings in Windows, though I am not sure why that would only affect the search bar...

I have used TDSS Killer, AVG, Trend Micro high jack tool, Windows Malicious removal tool, Malware Bytes, and Hitman Pro. I have looked at my windows settings and everything is set to English and my country is set to Canada. So very strange. What is most strange is that none of my searches are redirected to questionable sites. I get what I asked for but in Japanese from google.co.jp LOL!

Another thing you can actually try is the Search Reset Tool extension, which will reset search preferences, home page and new tab page back to default the uninstall itself.

If that also doesn't change anything, what happens if you create a new profile? See the article Profile Manager - Create, remove or switch Firefox profiles for more information.

Do you have more than one Google search plugin installed? There are different Google search plugins out there, some for different countries / languages.

Search plugins installed by the user will be in the /searchplugins/ folder in the Profile folder. They are an XML file that can be viewed in any text editor - in that file os:Description is usually a tip-off as to it being a specialized search plugin.