diff --git a/project.py b/project.py
index ea1bc73..cc47824 100644
--- a/project.py
+++ b/project.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class Project:
 
 
     def load(self,path):
-        with open(path, "r") as f:
+        with open(path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             project_data = json.load(f)
             if not "char_width" in project_data or not "char_height" in project_data:
                 raise AttributeError("Character metrics information not found")
@@ -37,12 +37,12 @@ class Project:
 
     def save(self,path):
         # save project data to file
-        with open(path, "w") as f:
+        with open(path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             json.dump({
                 "char_width": self.char_res[0],
                 "char_height": self.char_res[1],
                 "chars": self.chars
-            }, f, indent=4)
+            }, f, indent=4, ensure_ascii=False)
         self.path=path
         self.loaded=True