A search facility provides searching capabilities in languages such as
Japanese. The facility may use a vocabulary knowledge base organized by
concepts. For example, each concept may be associated with at least one
keyword (as well as any synonyms or variant forms) by applying one or
more rules that relate to identifying common main forms, script variants,
alternative grammatical forms, phonetic variants, proper noun variants,
numerical variants, scientific name, cultural relevance, etc. The
contents of the vocabulary knowledge base are then used in executing
search queries. A user may enter a search query in which keywords (or
synonyms associated with those key words) may be identified, along with
various stopwords that facilitate segmentation of the search query and
other actions. Execution of the search query may result in a list of
assets or similar indications being returned, which relate to concepts
identified within the search query.