diff --git a/cde/configure.ac b/cde/configure.ac
index 2b0ad349f..fbe565f01 100644
--- a/cde/configure.ac
+++ b/cde/configure.ac
@@ -217,13 +217,6 @@ AC_ARG_ENABLE([spanish],
 )
 AM_CONDITIONAL([SPANISH], [test -n "$enable_es"])
 
-AC_ARG_ENABLE([japanese],
-        AS_HELP_STRING([--enable-japanese], [Build Japanese locale (default=no, never tested)]),
-        [enable_jp="yes"], [enable_jp=""]
-)
-AM_CONDITIONAL([JAPANESE], [test -n "$enable_jp"])
-
-
 dnl hmmm...
 RM="rm -f"
 AC_SUBST(RM)
diff --git a/cde/programs/localized/Makefile.am b/cde/programs/localized/Makefile.am
index 5c3a5d6d1..445a5b8dd 100644
--- a/cde/programs/localized/Makefile.am
+++ b/cde/programs/localized/Makefile.am
@@ -1,9 +1,5 @@
 SUBDIRS = util C
 
-if JAPANESE
-SUBDIRS += ja_JP.dt-eucJP
-endif
-
 if GERMAN
 SUBDIRS += de_DE.UTF-8
 endif