Sidewider question.

I have Windows 98SE English language version. I"m currently living in Japan and I want to get a joystick. The only one available locally is the Japanese version of Microsoft's Sidewinder Force Feedback 2. I want to know if the software will work with the English version of Windows.

I was foolish enough to try to contact Microsoft with the question, but found that I can't ask them a question until I either give them money directly or indirectly by buying the stick first.

I asked the staff at the store, but they had no idea. I'd risk buying it, but they have a no refund, exchange only policy and there's no way they'd order in an English language version just for me.

If it doesn't work, is the software available for free from Microsoft?

I checked the Mircosoft Sidewider support site and all the links to software upgrades are down. I then searched the downloads database and there are no new drivers available for the sidewinder 2.