kana
noun
ka·na ˈkä-nə 
plural kana
often attributive
: a Japanese system of syllabic writing having characters that can be used exclusively for writing foreign words or in combination with kanji (as for indicating pronunciations or grammatical inflections)
also : a single character belonging to the kana system compare hiragana, katakana
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The NEAC 2203, released in 1960 by NEC, could handle Roman characters and Japanese kana. 
Laura Moorhead, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2007
Laura Moorhead, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2007 Word History
Etymology
Japanese
First Known Use
1727, in the meaning defined above