diff --git a/tools/asm_sizes.py b/tools/asm_sizes.py
index 05dad64aece..21809e5ed60 100755
--- a/tools/asm_sizes.py
+++ b/tools/asm_sizes.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 # Calculate the number of instructions in a .s file
 def calc_insns(f_path):
     ret = 0
-    with open(f_path) as f:
+    with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f_lines = f.readlines()
     for line in f_lines:
         if line.startswith("/* "):
diff --git a/tools/build/actor_types.py b/tools/build/actor_types.py
index 2a9b500f043..01fa3db33a7 100644
--- a/tools/build/actor_types.py
+++ b/tools/build/actor_types.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def __init__(self, entry):
 def read_actors_yaml(in_yaml: Path) -> List[ActorTypeEntry]:
     actors: List[ActorTypeEntry] = []
 
-    with open(in_yaml) as f:
+    with open(in_yaml, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         entry_list = yaml.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml.SafeLoader)
 
         for entry in entry_list:
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ def generate_actors_enums(fout: TextIOWrapper, actors: List[ActorTypeEntry]):
 
     actors = read_actors_yaml(args.actors_yaml)
 
-    with open(args.out_data, "w") as fout:
+    with open(args.out_data, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fout:
         fout.write("/* This file is auto-generated. Do not edit. */\n")
         fout.write('#include "common.h"\n')
         fout.write('#include "message_ids.h"\n')
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def generate_actors_enums(fout: TextIOWrapper, actors: List[ActorTypeEntry]):
 
         generate_actors_data(fout, actors)
 
-    with open(args.out_enum, "w") as fout:
+    with open(args.out_enum, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fout:
         fout.write("/* This file is auto-generated. Do not edit. */\n")
         fout.write("\n")
 
diff --git a/tools/build/audio/sbn.py b/tools/build/audio/sbn.py
index af483498415..03c8a70fd41 100644
--- a/tools/build/audio/sbn.py
+++ b/tools/build/audio/sbn.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ def get_id(item):
 def from_yaml(yaml_path: Path, asset_stack: Tuple[Path, ...]) -> SBN:
     sbn = SBN()
 
-    with yaml_path.open("r") as f:
+    with yaml_path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         config = yaml.safe_load(f)
 
     unknown_bin_path = get_asset_path("audio/unknown.bin", asset_stack)
diff --git a/tools/build/effects.py b/tools/build/effects.py
index 9705280c90f..c864e34f607 100644
--- a/tools/build/effects.py
+++ b/tools/build/effects.py
@@ -38,11 +38,11 @@
 
     args.out_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-    with open(args.out_dir / "effect_macros.h", "w") as f:
+    with open(args.out_dir / "effect_macros.h", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write(macro_defs)
 
-    with open(args.out_dir / "effect_table.c", "w") as f:
+    with open(args.out_dir / "effect_table.c", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write(main_decls_text + "\n" + effect_table_text + "};\n")
 
-    with open(args.out_dir / "effect_defs.h", "w") as f:
+    with open(args.out_dir / "effect_defs.h", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write(effect_enum_text + "};\n\n" + fx_decls_text)
diff --git a/tools/build/genobjcopy.py b/tools/build/genobjcopy.py
index e70b0671eb0..714c0029cbe 100755
--- a/tools/build/genobjcopy.py
+++ b/tools/build/genobjcopy.py
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@
     infile, outfile = sys.argv[1:]
 
     # generate output based on input
-    file_data = open(infile, "r").read().split("\n")
+    file_data = open(infile, "r", encoding="utf-8").read().split("\n")
     if len(file_data[-1]) == 0:
         file_data.pop()
 
     outdata = "-j " + " -j ".join(file_data)
-    with open(outfile, "w") as f:
+    with open(outfile, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write(outdata)
diff --git a/tools/build/icons.py b/tools/build/icons.py
index ccc69ea0ca5..33b037f98a7 100644
--- a/tools/build/icons.py
+++ b/tools/build/icons.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def build(out_bin: Path, out_header: Path, asset_stack: Tuple[Path, ...]):
     with open(out_bin, "wb") as f:
         f.write(out_bytes)
 
-    with open(out_header, "w") as f:
+    with open(out_header, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write("#ifndef ICON_OFFSETS_H\n")
         f.write("#define ICON_OFFSETS_H\n")
         f.write(f"/* This file is auto-generated. Do not edit. */\n\n")
diff --git a/tools/build/img/header.py b/tools/build/img/header.py
index 875d4cbf525..3d772f70bc0 100755
--- a/tools/build/img/header.py
+++ b/tools/build/img/header.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
     img = png.Reader(infile)
     width, height, rows, info = img.read()
 
-    with open(outfile, "w") as f:
+    with open(outfile, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write("// Generated file, do not edit.\n")
         f.write(f"#ifndef _{cname.upper()}_\n")
         f.write(f"#define _{cname.upper()}_\n")
diff --git a/tools/build/imgfx/imgfx_data.py b/tools/build/imgfx/imgfx_data.py
index 9056ba1bb18..67229d2cdb6 100755
--- a/tools/build/imgfx/imgfx_data.py
+++ b/tools/build/imgfx/imgfx_data.py
@@ -94,14 +94,14 @@ def fromJSON(name: str, data: Any) -> "Anim":
 
 
 def build(inputs: List[Path], output: Path):
-    with open(output, "w") as f:
+    with open(output, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write("/* NOTE: This file is autogenerated, do not edit */\n\n")
         f.write('#include "PR/gbi.h"\n')
         f.write('#include "macros.h"\n')
         f.write('#include "imgfx.h"\n\n')
 
         for input in inputs:
-            with open(input, "r") as fin:
+            with open(input, "r", encoding="utf-8") as fin:
                 in_json = json.load(fin)
 
             anim = Anim.fromJSON(input.name[:-5], in_json)
diff --git a/tools/build/item_data.py b/tools/build/item_data.py
index 40cc6291b39..c6caccb6d8e 100644
--- a/tools/build/item_data.py
+++ b/tools/build/item_data.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def __init__(self, entry):
 def read_items_yaml(in_yaml: Path) -> List[ItemEntry]:
     items: List[ItemEntry] = []
 
-    with open(in_yaml) as f:
+    with open(in_yaml, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         entry_list = yaml.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml.SafeLoader)
 
         for entry in entry_list:
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ def generate_item_icon_tables(fout: TextIOWrapper, items: List[ItemEntry]):
     }
     items.sort(key=lambda x: CATEGORY_ORDER.get(x.category, 999))
 
-    with open(args.out_data, "w") as fout:
+    with open(args.out_data, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fout:
         fout.write("/* This file is auto-generated. Do not edit. */\n")
         fout.write('#include "common.h"\n')
         fout.write('#include "message_ids.h"\n')
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ def generate_item_icon_tables(fout: TextIOWrapper, items: List[ItemEntry]):
         generate_item_entity_scripts_table(fout, items)
         generate_item_icon_tables(fout, items)
 
-    with open(args.out_enum, "w") as fout:
+    with open(args.out_enum, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fout:
         fout.write("/* This file is auto-generated. Do not edit. */\n")
         fout.write("\n")
 
diff --git a/tools/build/mapfs/shape.py b/tools/build/mapfs/shape.py
index a2ee8ddff6a..ccbc64be01b 100755
--- a/tools/build/mapfs/shape.py
+++ b/tools/build/mapfs/shape.py
@@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ def run(in_bin: Path, out: Path) -> None:
         shape = ShapeFile(map_name, file_bytes)
         shape.digest()
 
-        with open(out, "w") as out_file:
+        with open(out, "w", encoding="utf-8") as out_file:
             shape.write_to_c(out_file)
 
 
diff --git a/tools/build/mapfs/tex.py b/tools/build/mapfs/tex.py
index de7b961f67e..642bbb5d410 100644
--- a/tools/build/mapfs/tex.py
+++ b/tools/build/mapfs/tex.py
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ def build(out_path: Path, tex_name: str, asset_stack: Tuple[Path, ...], endian:
 
     json_path = get_asset_path(Path(f"mapfs/tex/{tex_name}.json"), asset_stack)
 
-    with open(json_path) as json_file:
+    with open(json_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as json_file:
         json_str = json_file.read()
         json_data = json.loads(json_str)
 
diff --git a/tools/build/move_data.py b/tools/build/move_data.py
index d1cae9ed255..b8525f0405d 100644
--- a/tools/build/move_data.py
+++ b/tools/build/move_data.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def __init__(self, entry):
 def read_moves_yaml(in_yaml: Path) -> List[MoveEntry]:
     items: List[MoveEntry] = []
 
-    with open(in_yaml) as f:
+    with open(in_yaml, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         entry_list = yaml.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml.SafeLoader)
 
         for entry in entry_list:
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ def generate_move_enum(fout: TextIOWrapper, moves: List[MoveEntry]):
 
     moves = read_moves_yaml(args.moves_yaml)
 
-    with open(args.out_data, "w") as fout:
+    with open(args.out_data, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fout:
         fout.write("/* This file is auto-generated. Do not edit. */\n")
         fout.write('#include "common.h"\n')
         fout.write('#include "message_ids.h"\n')
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def generate_move_enum(fout: TextIOWrapper, moves: List[MoveEntry]):
 
         generate_move_table(fout, moves)
 
-    with open(args.out_enum, "w") as fout:
+    with open(args.out_enum, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fout:
         fout.write("/* This file is auto-generated. Do not edit. */\n")
         fout.write("\n")
 
diff --git a/tools/build/msg/combine.py b/tools/build/msg/combine.py
index fb04c44cef0..71b4c30d950 100755
--- a/tools/build/msg/combine.py
+++ b/tools/build/msg/combine.py
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ def __init__(self, d: dict, header_file_index: int):
         f.write(b"\0\0\0\0")
 
     if header_file is not None:
-        with open(header_file, "w") as f:
+        with open(header_file, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             f.write(f"#ifndef _MESSAGE_IDS_H_\n" f"#define _MESSAGE_IDS_H_\n" "\n" '#include "messages.h"\n' "\n")
 
             for message in messages:
diff --git a/tools/build/msg/parse_compile.py b/tools/build/msg/parse_compile.py
index b07de7a12a0..2068ef9f7f0 100755
--- a/tools/build/msg/parse_compile.py
+++ b/tools/build/msg/parse_compile.py
@@ -3173,7 +3173,7 @@ def replacer(match):
     messages = []
 
     message = None
-    with open(filename, "r") as f:
+    with open(filename, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         source = strip_c_comments(f.read())
         lineno = 1
 
@@ -4452,7 +4452,7 @@ def replacer(match):
             exit(1)
 
     if is_output_format_c:
-        with open(outfile, "w") as f:
+        with open(outfile, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             f.write(f"#include <ultra64.h>\n")
 
             for message in messages:
diff --git a/tools/build/recipes.py b/tools/build/recipes.py
index f709a5ea6c7..ccc22689bc4 100644
--- a/tools/build/recipes.py
+++ b/tools/build/recipes.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def __init__(self, entry: List[str], order: Dict[str, int]):
 
 
 def generate(in_yaml: Path, out_c: Path):
-    with open(in_yaml) as f:
+    with open(in_yaml, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         data = yaml.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml.SafeLoader)
 
     products = data["Products"]
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def generate(in_yaml: Path, out_c: Path):
     #        if not recipe[2] in product_idx:
     #            raise Exception(f"Product {recipe[2]} for ExtraDoubleRecipe ({recipe[0]}, {recipe[1]}) not listed in Products")
 
-    with open(out_c, "w") as f:
+    with open(out_c, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write("/* This file is auto-generated. Do not edit. */\n\n")
         f.write('#include "common.h"\n\n')
 
diff --git a/tools/build/sprite/header.py b/tools/build/sprite/header.py
index cb4b9d4c789..d714efbaf73 100755
--- a/tools/build/sprite/header.py
+++ b/tools/build/sprite/header.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
     asset_stack = tuple(Path(d) for d in asset_stack_raw.split(","))
 
-    with open(outfile, "w") as f:
+    with open(outfile, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         # get sprite index
         s = int(s_in)
         assert s >= 1
diff --git a/tools/build/sprite/sprite_shading_profiles.py b/tools/build/sprite/sprite_shading_profiles.py
index 3c5aee2c5c9..9b73d5df4b4 100755
--- a/tools/build/sprite/sprite_shading_profiles.py
+++ b/tools/build/sprite/sprite_shading_profiles.py
@@ -95,13 +95,13 @@ def build(
 ):
     END = ">" if endian == "big" else "<"
 
-    with open(input, "r") as f:
+    with open(input, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         json_data = json.load(f)
 
     groups = groups_from_json(json_data)
 
     # Header creation
-    with open(header_out, "w") as f:
+    with open(header_out, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write("#ifndef SHADING_PROFILES_H\n")
         f.write("#define SHADING_PROFILES_H\n")
         f.write(f"/* This file is auto-generated from {input.name}. Do not edit. */\n\n")
diff --git a/tools/build/sprite/sprites.py b/tools/build/sprite/sprites.py
index 6cc5f59f0c6..f70359f6c42 100755
--- a/tools/build/sprite/sprites.py
+++ b/tools/build/sprite/sprites.py
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ def write_player_sprite_header(
             sprite_id += 1
 
     out_file.parent.mkdir(exist_ok=True, parents=True)
-    with open(out_file, "w") as f:
+    with open(out_file, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write(f"#ifndef {ifdef_name}\n")
         f.write(f"#define {ifdef_name}\n\n")
 
diff --git a/tools/build/world_map.py b/tools/build/world_map.py
index 0024e75ffcc..21f1acf44a1 100644
--- a/tools/build/world_map.py
+++ b/tools/build/world_map.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ def generate(in_xml: Path, out_c: Path):
     xml = ET.parse(in_xml)
     ScriptList = xml.getroot()
 
-    with open(out_c, "w") as f:
+    with open(out_c, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write("#ifndef WORLD_MAP_H\n")
         f.write("#define WORLD_MAP_H\n")
         f.write("/* This file is auto-generated. Do not edit. */\n\n")
diff --git a/tools/configure/src/configure/main.py b/tools/configure/src/configure/main.py
index b652a180c2c..5ab8a0c8018 100755
--- a/tools/configure/src/configure/main.py
+++ b/tools/configure/src/configure/main.py
@@ -1461,7 +1461,7 @@ def main():
     # add tools/build to import path
     sys.path.insert(0, str(BUILD_TOOLS.resolve()))
 
-    ninja = ninja_syntax.Writer(open(str(ROOT / "build.ninja"), "w"), width=9999)
+    ninja = ninja_syntax.Writer(open(str(ROOT / "build.ninja"), "w", encoding="utf-8"), width=9999)
 
     non_matching = args.non_matching or args.modern_gcc or args.shift
 
diff --git a/tools/disasm_hud_element_animation.py b/tools/disasm_hud_element_animation.py
index 25abef28f60..340dd50f802 100755
--- a/tools/disasm_hud_element_animation.py
+++ b/tools/disasm_hud_element_animation.py
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ def print(self):
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
-    with open(args.file, "r") as f:
+    with open(args.file, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         lines = f.readlines()
         current_script = None
 
diff --git a/tools/disasm_script.py b/tools/disasm_script.py
index ba4ae36fe86..3463518c906 100755
--- a/tools/disasm_script.py
+++ b/tools/disasm_script.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def script_lib(offset=0):
         LIB_LINE_RE = re.compile(r"\s+:\s+")
         NAME_RE = re.compile(r"({[^}]*})?\s*([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)")
         for filename in Path(path.dirname(__file__), "star-rod", "database").rglob("*.lib"):
-            with open(filename, "r") as file:
+            with open(filename, "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
                 for line in file.readlines():
                     parts = LIB_LINE_RE.split(line)
                     if len(parts) >= 3:
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def script_lib(offset=0):
 
         repo_root = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
         symbols = Path(repo_root / "ver" / "current" / "symbol_addrs.txt")
-        with open(symbols, "r") as file:
+        with open(symbols, "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
             for line in file.readlines():
                 s = [s.strip() for s in line.split("=", 1)]
                 name = s[0]
diff --git a/tools/find_duplicates.py b/tools/find_duplicates.py
index 46d75f98f05..55a2cf956c8 100755
--- a/tools/find_duplicates.py
+++ b/tools/find_duplicates.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ def parse_map(fname):
     syms = {}
     prev_sym = None
     prev_line = ""
-    with open(fname) as f:
+    with open(fname, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         for line in f:
             if "load address" in line:
                 if "noload" in line or "noload" in prev_line:
@@ -246,26 +246,23 @@ def output_match_dict(
     num_perfect_dupes,
     num_checked_files,
 ):
-    out_file = open(datetime.today().strftime("%Y-%m-%d-%H-%M-%S") + "_all_matches.txt", "w+")
-
-    out_file.write(
-        "Number of s-files: " + str(len(s_files)) + "\n"
-        "Number of checked s-files: " + str(round(num_checked_files)) + "\n"
-        "Number of decompiled duplicates found: " + str(num_decomped_dupes) + "\n"
-        "Number of undecompiled duplicates found: " + str(num_undecomped_dupes) + "\n"
-        "Number of overall exact duplicates found: " + str(num_perfect_dupes) + "\n\n"
-    )
-
-    sorted_dict = OrderedDict(sorted(match_dict.items(), key=lambda item: item[1][0], reverse=True))
-
-    print("Creating output file: " + out_file.name, end="\n")
-    for file_name, matches in sorted_dict.items():
-        out_file.write(file_name + " - found " + str(matches[0]) + " matches total:\n")
-        for match in matches[1]:
-            out_file.write(match + "\n")
-        out_file.write("\n")
-
-    out_file.close()
+    with open(datetime.today().strftime("%Y-%m-%d-%H-%M-%S") + "_all_matches.txt", "w+", encoding="utf-8") as out_file:
+        out_file.write(
+            "Number of s-files: " + str(len(s_files)) + "\n"
+            "Number of checked s-files: " + str(round(num_checked_files)) + "\n"
+            "Number of decompiled duplicates found: " + str(num_decomped_dupes) + "\n"
+            "Number of undecompiled duplicates found: " + str(num_undecomped_dupes) + "\n"
+            "Number of overall exact duplicates found: " + str(num_perfect_dupes) + "\n\n"
+        )
+
+        sorted_dict = OrderedDict(sorted(match_dict.items(), key=lambda item: item[1][0], reverse=True))
+
+        print("Creating output file: " + out_file.name, end="\n")
+        for file_name, matches in sorted_dict.items():
+            out_file.write(file_name + " - found " + str(matches[0]) + " matches total:\n")
+            for match in matches[1]:
+                out_file.write(match + "\n")
+            out_file.write("\n")
 
 
 def is_decompiled(sym):
diff --git a/tools/fix_sprite_xmls.py b/tools/fix_sprite_xmls.py
index c3a2f4d7f38..b57d3f2fdb5 100644
--- a/tools/fix_sprite_xmls.py
+++ b/tools/fix_sprite_xmls.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 
 def process_file(file_path):
-    with open(file_path, "r") as file:
+    with open(file_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
         content = file.read()
 
     # Skip files that already have fixed="true"
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def process_file(file_path):
         r'<SetParent index="(\d+)"/>', lambda m: f'<SetParent index="{hex(int(m.group(1)))[2:].upper()}"/>', content
     )
 
-    with open(file_path, "w") as file:
+    with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
         file.write(content)
     print(f"Updated: {file_path}")
 
diff --git a/tools/migrate_data_to_c.py b/tools/migrate_data_to_c.py
index 42e0485334f..011d899252f 100755
--- a/tools/migrate_data_to_c.py
+++ b/tools/migrate_data_to_c.py
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ def find_dir(query):
 
 
 def data_to_c(file_path):
-    file = open(file_path)
-    s = file.read()
+    with open(file_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+        s = f.read()
 
     output = ""
     pattern = re.compile(r"(dlabel (jtbl_.*|.+_.*)\n.(\w+) (.*))")
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ def data_to_c(file_path):
         else:
             output += all + "\n\n"
 
-    file.close()
     return output
 
 
@@ -43,9 +42,8 @@ def out_to_file(output, file_path):
         os.mkdir(output_dir)
 
     file_name = file_path[file_path.rfind("/") : -7]
-    file = open("data2c/" + file_name + ".c", "w+")
-    file.write(output)
-    file.close()
+    with open("data2c/" + file_name + ".c", "w+", encoding="utf-8") as file:
+        file.write(output)
 
 
 def get_all():
diff --git a/tools/mv_segment.py b/tools/mv_segment.py
index b73f9fe5565..d5839081c64 100755
--- a/tools/mv_segment.py
+++ b/tools/mv_segment.py
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@
     print("moving c file")
     os.rename(f"src/{args.src}.c", f"src/{args.dest}.c")
 
-    with open(f"src/{args.dest}.c") as f:
+    with open(f"src/{args.dest}.c", "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         content = f.read()
 
-    with open(f"src/{args.dest}.c", "w") as f:
+    with open(f"src/{args.dest}.c", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write(content.replace(f'"{args.src}"', f'"{args.dest}"'))
 
 if os.path.exists(f"ver/current/asm/nonmatchings/{args.src}"):
diff --git a/tools/old/asset_rework.py b/tools/old/asset_rework.py
index 4d407803177..e3d41748784 100644
--- a/tools/old/asset_rework.py
+++ b/tools/old/asset_rework.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ def img_replacer(match):
 
     for version in ["us", "pal", "ique", "jp"]:
         try:
-            with open(f"ver/{version}/build/include/" + png_inc_c_path, "r") as f:
+            with open(f"ver/{version}/build/include/" + png_inc_c_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 png_inc_c_content = f.read()
             break
         except FileNotFoundError:
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def img_replacer(match):
 for dirs, subdirs, files in os.walk("src"):
     for file in files:
         if file.endswith(".c"):
-            with open(os.path.join(dirs, file), "r") as f:
+            with open(os.path.join(dirs, file), "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 source_lines = f.readlines()
 
             if any(IMG_C_RE.match(l) or PAL_C_RE.match(l) for l in source_lines):
@@ -59,5 +59,5 @@ def img_replacer(match):
                     source_lines[i] = re.sub(IMG_C_RE, img_replacer, source_lines[i])
                     source_lines[i] = re.sub(PAL_C_RE, img_replacer, source_lines[i])
 
-                with open(os.path.join(dirs, file), "w") as f:
+                with open(os.path.join(dirs, file), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                     f.writelines(source_lines)
diff --git a/tools/old/bootstrap_effects.py b/tools/old/bootstrap_effects.py
index c591461d6c7..58be324ad1a 100755
--- a/tools/old/bootstrap_effects.py
+++ b/tools/old/bootstrap_effects.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
             effect_num = f_name.split("_")[1]
 
-            with open(f_path) as f:
+            with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 asm_text = f.read()
 
             funcs = []
@@ -37,5 +37,5 @@
 
             renames.append(f"{funcs[0]} fx_{effect_num}_appendGfx\n")
 
-with open("tools/to_rename.txt", "w", newline="\n") as f:
+with open("tools/to_rename.txt", "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
     f.writelines(renames)
diff --git a/tools/old/create_renames.py b/tools/old/create_renames.py
index 4811d4662be..d52d8752148 100644
--- a/tools/old/create_renames.py
+++ b/tools/old/create_renames.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-with open("errs.txt") as f:
+with open("errs.txt", "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
     inlines = f.readlines()
 
 renames = {}
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@
 for k, v in sorted(renames.items()):
     pairs.append((k, v))
 
-with open("bloop.txt") as f:
+with open("bloop.txt", "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
     blooplines = f.readlines()
 
 
-with open("duplicate_renames.txt", "w", newline="\n") as f:
+with open("duplicate_renames.txt", "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
     for pair in pairs:
         first = pair[0]
         second = pair[1]
diff --git a/tools/old/fix_bad_evt_changes.py b/tools/old/fix_bad_evt_changes.py
index e2ce853113d..ffa0265e6a2 100644
--- a/tools/old/fix_bad_evt_changes.py
+++ b/tools/old/fix_bad_evt_changes.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
     old_line = old_lines[line_number - 1].strip()
 
-    with open(filename, "r") as f:
+    with open(filename, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         lines = f.readlines()
 
     line = lines[line_number - 1]
@@ -36,5 +36,5 @@
 
     lines[line_number - 1] = line.replace(bad_symbol_name, good_symbol_name)
 
-    with open(filename, "w") as f:
+    with open(filename, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.writelines(lines)
diff --git a/tools/old/fix_s_filenames.py b/tools/old/fix_s_filenames.py
index 4fd73c460b4..c1b6e46f584 100755
--- a/tools/old/fix_s_filenames.py
+++ b/tools/old/fix_s_filenames.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
         if f_name.endswith(".s"):
             f_path = os.path.join(root, f_name)
 
-            with open(f_path, "r") as f:
+            with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 line = f.readlines()[3]
 
             if not line.startswith("glabel "):
diff --git a/tools/old/gen_effect_renames.py b/tools/old/gen_effect_renames.py
index 2e30139752e..6691f341c82 100755
--- a/tools/old/gen_effect_renames.py
+++ b/tools/old/gen_effect_renames.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def main(args):
     to_write.append(f"fx_{id}_appendGfx {to}_appendGfx")
     to_write.append(f"EFFECT_ID_{hex_str} EFFECT_{to.upper()}")
 
-    with open(os.path.join(script_dir, "to_rename.txt"), "a") as f:
+    with open(os.path.join(script_dir, "to_rename.txt"), "a", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         for line in to_write:
             f.write(f"{line}\n")
 
diff --git a/tools/old/m_map_funcs.py b/tools/old/m_map_funcs.py
index 755fb588d6e..5bf381baa9e 100755
--- a/tools/old/m_map_funcs.py
+++ b/tools/old/m_map_funcs.py
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@
     for fname in files:
         if fname.endswith(".s"):
             prefix = Path(root).parent.name + "_"
-            with open(os.path.join(root, fname)) as f:
+            with open(os.path.join(root, fname), "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 orig_text = f.read()
             new_text = orig_text
             for common in common_files:
                 new_text = new_text.replace(" " + common, " " + prefix + common)
             if new_text != orig_text:
-                with open(os.path.join(root, fname), "w", newline="\n") as f:
+                with open(os.path.join(root, fname), "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                     f.write(new_text)
diff --git a/tools/old/migrate_effect_rodata.py b/tools/old/migrate_effect_rodata.py
index 07ffb0b17aa..e2176354407 100755
--- a/tools/old/migrate_effect_rodata.py
+++ b/tools/old/migrate_effect_rodata.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ def handle_symbol(effect, symbol):
             if f_name.endswith(".s"):
                 f_path = os.path.join(root, f_name)
 
-                with open(f_path) as f:
+                with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                     asm_lines = f.readlines()
 
                 has_rodata_section = False
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def handle_symbol(effect, symbol):
                         asm_lines.insert(6, f"{symbol[2]}\n")
                         asm_lines.insert(7, "\n")
 
-                        with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+                        with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                             f.write("".join(asm_lines))
 
                         return True
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ def handle_symbol(effect, symbol):
 
 
 def handle_file(f_path):
-    with open(f_path) as f:
+    with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         rodata_lines = f.readlines()[4:]
 
     effect = f_path.split("/")[-1].split(".")[0]
diff --git a/tools/old/migrate_exit_strings.py b/tools/old/migrate_exit_strings.py
index 93ae109d0a8..96173b51996 100755
--- a/tools/old/migrate_exit_strings.py
+++ b/tools/old/migrate_exit_strings.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 asm_data_dir = asm_dir + "data/"
 src_dir = root_dir + "src/"
 
-with open(root_dir + "ver/current/splat.yaml") as f:
+with open(root_dir + "ver/current/splat.yaml", "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
     config = yaml.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml.SafeLoader)
 
 for segment in config["segments"]:
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
         if not os.path.exists(c_file_path):
             continue
 
-        with open(c_file_path) as f:
+        with open(c_file_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             c_lines = f.readlines()
 
         if len(c_lines[1].strip()) != 0:
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
         if not os.path.exists(asm_file_path):
             continue
 
-        with open(asm_file_path) as f:
+        with open(asm_file_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             asm_lines = f.readlines()
 
         exit_data = asm_lines[5].strip()
@@ -62,5 +62,5 @@
             c_lines.insert(2 + i, f'static char* N(exit_str_{i}) = "{exit_strings[i]}";\n')
         c_lines.insert(2 + len(exit_strings), "\n")
 
-        with open(c_file_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with open(c_file_path, "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             f.write("".join(c_lines))
diff --git a/tools/old/migrate_rodata.py b/tools/old/migrate_rodata.py
index 1eb60364f27..2580d590775 100755
--- a/tools/old/migrate_rodata.py
+++ b/tools/old/migrate_rodata.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ def handle_symbol(area, symbol):
             if f_name.endswith(".s"):
                 f_path = os.path.join(root, f_name)
 
-                with open(f_path) as f:
+                with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                     asm_lines = f.readlines()
 
                 has_rodata_section = False
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def handle_symbol(area, symbol):
                         asm_lines.insert(6, f"{symbol[2]}\n")
                         asm_lines.insert(7, "\n")
 
-                        with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+                        with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                             f.write("".join(asm_lines))
 
                         return True
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def handle_symbol(area, symbol):
 
 
 def handle_file(f_path):
-    with open(f_path) as f:
+    with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         rodata_lines = f.readlines()[4:]
 
     area = Path(f_path).parent.parts[-2:]
diff --git a/tools/old/sortsymz.py b/tools/old/sortsymz.py
index 000ae6c500b..6e5a438ee70 100755
--- a/tools/old/sortsymz.py
+++ b/tools/old/sortsymz.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 for root, dirs, files in os.walk("src"):
     for file in files:
         if file.endswith(".c") and "bss" not in file:
-            with open(os.path.join(root, file)) as f:
+            with open(os.path.join(root, file), "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 text = f.read()
                 for sym in syms:
                     if sym["name"] in text:
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 for root, dirs, files in os.walk("ver/us/asm"):
     for file in files:
         if file.endswith(".s"):
-            with open(os.path.join(root, file)) as f:
+            with open(os.path.join(root, file), "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 text = f.read()
                 for sym in syms:
                     if sym["name"] in text:
diff --git a/tools/old/substitute.py b/tools/old/substitute.py
index 7251b5963d9..64818465de8 100755
--- a/tools/old/substitute.py
+++ b/tools/old/substitute.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 from_funcs = []
 
-with open(args.from_list) as f:
+with open(args.from_list, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
     from_text = f.readlines()
 
 to_line = """
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
     for f_name in files:
         if f_name.endswith(".c"):
             f_path = os.path.join(root, f_name)
-            with open(f_path) as f:
+            with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 f_text_orig = f.read()
 
             f_text = f_text_orig
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
                 search_pattern = re.compile("\n.*" + func + "\).*\n")
                 f_text = re.sub(search_pattern, to_line, f_text)
             if f_text != f_text_orig:
-                with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+                with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                     f.write(f_text)
 
 # # Rename symbols in from_funcs to namespace equivalents
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
     for f_name in files:
         if f_name.endswith(".s"):
             f_path = os.path.join(root, f_name)
-            with open(f_path) as f:
+            with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 f_text_orig = f.read()
 
             f_text = f_text_orig
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@
                     to_replace.append(syms[0] + " " + namespace + "_ItemChoice_HasSelectedItem\n")
                     to_replace.append(syms[1] + " " + namespace + "_ItemChoice_SelectedItemID\n")
 
-                with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+                with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                     f.write(f_text)
 
-with open("to_rename.txt", "w") as f:
+with open("to_rename.txt", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
     f.writelines(to_replace)
diff --git a/tools/old/update_evts.py b/tools/old/update_evts.py
index fc920e86b3f..904c6a6fc7f 100755
--- a/tools/old/update_evts.py
+++ b/tools/old/update_evts.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def __init__(self, ram_addr, rom_addr):
 
 
 def parse_symbol_addrs():
-    with open("ver/us/symbol_addrs.txt", "r") as f:
+    with open("ver/us/symbol_addrs.txt", "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         lines = f.readlines()
 
     symbol_addrs = {}
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ def eval_namespace(sym, namespace):
 
 
 def replace_old_script_macros(filename, symbol_addrs):
-    with open(filename, "r") as f:
+    with open(filename, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         lines = f.readlines()
 
     with open("ver/us/baserom.z64", "rb") as rom:
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ def replace_old_script_macros(filename, symbol_addrs):
             num_scripts_replaced += 1
 
     if num_scripts_replaced > 0:
-        with open(filename, "w") as f:
+        with open(filename, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             f.writelines(lines)
 
     return num_scripts_replaced
diff --git a/tools/rename.py b/tools/rename.py
index aacc02069d2..b35b83f07a8 100755
--- a/tools/rename.py
+++ b/tools/rename.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 
 def handle_file(f_path, try_rename_file=False):
-    with open(f_path) as f:
+    with open(f_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f_text_orig = f.read()
 
     if try_rename_file:
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def handle_file(f_path, try_rename_file=False):
         to_join.append(f_text[pos:])
         f_text = "".join(to_join)
         # save changes
-        with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with open(f_path, "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             f.write(f_text)
 
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ def apply_renames(file_path: str):
 
     # Read input file
     # One valid whitespace-separated find-replace pair is given per line
-    with open(file_path) as f:
+    with open(file_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         renames_text = f.readlines()
 
     # Create dict of old -> new names
diff --git a/tools/sort_symbol_addrs.py b/tools/sort_symbol_addrs.py
index 38d452c09e8..748f04d0619 100755
--- a/tools/sort_symbol_addrs.py
+++ b/tools/sort_symbol_addrs.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
     syms = {}
     file_path = os.path.join(script_dir, f"../ver/{version}/symbol_addrs.txt")
 
-    with open(file_path) as f:
+    with open(file_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         symbol_lines = f.readlines()
 
     for line in symbol_lines:
@@ -22,6 +22,6 @@
             sys.exit(55)
         syms[addr] = line
 
-    with open(file_path, newline="\n", mode="w") as f:
+    with open(file_path, "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         for addr in sorted(syms):
             f.write(syms[addr])
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/pm_effect_loads.py b/tools/splat_ext/pm_effect_loads.py
index 9278071af8c..fcfbaa997af 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/pm_effect_loads.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/pm_effect_loads.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def get_macro_call(self, func_name: str) -> str:
 
 
 def effects_from_yaml(yaml_path: Path) -> List[Effect]:
-    with open(yaml_path) as f:
+    with open(yaml_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         effects_yaml = yaml_loader.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml_loader.SafeLoader)
 
     effects: List[Effect] = []
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ def split(self, rom_bytes):
 
             self.effect_s_path("").parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-            with open(self.effect_s_path(effect.name), "w") as f:
+            with open(self.effect_s_path(effect.name), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 f.write(effect_asm)
 
     def get_linker_entries(self):
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/pm_effect_shims.py b/tools/splat_ext/pm_effect_shims.py
index c34571279e9..424c999e6a6 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/pm_effect_shims.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/pm_effect_shims.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def __init__(
             yaml=yaml,
         )
 
-        with open(options.opts.src_path / "effect_shims.yaml") as f:
+        with open(options.opts.src_path / "effect_shims.yaml", "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             self.shims = yaml_loader.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml_loader.SafeLoader)
 
     def split(self, rom_bytes):
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def split(self, rom_bytes):
 
             self.shim_path("").parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-            with open(self.shim_path(shim), "w") as f:
+            with open(self.shim_path(shim), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 f.write(shim_asm)
 
     def get_linker_entries(self):
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/pm_icons.py b/tools/splat_ext/pm_icons.py
index 732de51d8ae..23e179f78e1 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/pm_icons.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/pm_icons.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def pretty_print_xml(tree: ET.ElementTree, path: Path):
     indent(root)
     xml_str = ET.tostring(root, encoding="unicode")
     xml_str = re.sub(" />", "/>", xml_str)
-    with open(path, "w") as f:
+    with open(path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write(xml_str)
 
 
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class N64SegPm_icons(Segment):
     def split(self, rom_bytes):
         self.out_dir = options.opts.asset_path / "icon"
 
-        with open(script_dir / "icon.yaml") as f:
+        with open(script_dir / "icon.yaml", "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             self.icons = yaml_loader.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml_loader.SafeLoader)
 
         data = rom_bytes[self.rom_start : self.rom_end]
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/pm_imgfx_data.py b/tools/splat_ext/pm_imgfx_data.py
index dba97d78334..3cddad3f8b0 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/pm_imgfx_data.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/pm_imgfx_data.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def unpack_tri(word: int, vtx_buf: List[int]) -> Tuple[int, int, int]:
     def split(self, rom_bytes):
         self.OUT_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
         for anim in self.anims:
-            with open(f"{self.OUT_DIR}/{anim.name}.json", "w") as f:
+            with open(f"{self.OUT_DIR}/{anim.name}.json", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 f.write(anim.toJSON())
 
     def get_linker_entries(self):
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/pm_map_data.py b/tools/splat_ext/pm_map_data.py
index 6b25960c6e7..f5e1854e9f9 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/pm_map_data.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/pm_map_data.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ def __init__(
             cfg_name = "mapfs.yaml"
 
         self.files = {}
-        with open(script_dir / cfg_name) as f:
+        with open(script_dir / cfg_name, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             mapfs_cfg = yaml_loader.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml_loader.SafeLoader)
             for file in mapfs_cfg:
                 if isinstance(file, dict):
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/pm_msg.py b/tools/splat_ext/pm_msg.py
index 0499f9df5fb..8d21695f653 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/pm_msg.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/pm_msg.py
@@ -3298,7 +3298,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.generate_header = yaml.get("generate_header", True)
         toc_file = yaml.get("toc", self.name) + ".yaml"
 
-        with (Path(__file__).parent / toc_file).open("r") as f:
+        with open(Path(__file__).parent / toc_file, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             self.msg_names = yaml_loader.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml_loader.SafeLoader)
 
     def split(self, rom_bytes):
@@ -3338,7 +3338,7 @@ def split(self, rom_bytes):
 
             path = msg_dir / Path(name + ".msg")
 
-            with open(path, "w") as self.f:
+            with open(path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as self.f:
                 for j, msg_offset in enumerate(msg_offsets):
                     if j != 0:
                         self.f.write("\n")
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/pm_sbn.py b/tools/splat_ext/pm_sbn.py
index a7c8079c10a..2023f413c13 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/pm_sbn.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/pm_sbn.py
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ def write(self, path: Path):
             except Exception as e:
                 raise Exception(f"Failed to write {sbn_file}: {e}")
 
-        with open(path / "sbn.yaml", "w") as f:
+        with open(path / "sbn.yaml", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             # Filename->ID map
             f.write("# Mapping of filenames to entry IDs. Use 'id: auto' to automatically assign a unique ID.\n")
             f.write(
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/pm_sprite_shading_profiles.py b/tools/splat_ext/pm_sprite_shading_profiles.py
index f7c314c9add..e0d9d667145 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/pm_sprite_shading_profiles.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/pm_sprite_shading_profiles.py
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ def scan(self, rom_bytes):
 
     def split(self, rom_bytes):
         self.out_path().parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-        with open(self.out_path(), "w") as f:
+        with open(self.out_path(), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             f.write(self.json_out)
 
     def out_path(self) -> Path:
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/pm_sprites.py b/tools/splat_ext/pm_sprites.py
index 007f945e77a..c9bdb71bb77 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/pm_sprites.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/pm_sprites.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ def pretty_print_xml(tree: ET.ElementTree, path: Path):
     indent(root)
     xml_str = ET.tostring(root, encoding="unicode")
     xml_str = re.sub(" />", "/>", xml_str)
-    with open(path, "w") as f:
+    with open(path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write(xml_str)
 
 
@@ -720,12 +720,12 @@ def __init__(self, rom_start, rom_end, type, name, vram_start, args, yaml) -> No
         super().__init__(rom_start, rom_end, type, name, vram_start, args=args, yaml=yaml)
 
         path = Path(__file__).parent / f"npc_sprite_names.yaml"
-        with path.open("r") as f:
+        with path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             self.npc_cfg = yaml_loader.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml_loader.SafeLoader)
         self.npc_cfg_modified_time = path.stat().st_mtime
 
         path = Path(__file__).parent / f"player_sprite_names.yaml"
-        with path.open("r") as f:
+        with path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             self.player_cfg = yaml_loader.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml_loader.SafeLoader)
         self.player_cfg_modified_time = path.stat().st_mtime
 
diff --git a/tools/splat_ext/tex_archives.py b/tools/splat_ext/tex_archives.py
index 3006136a027..69331e51554 100644
--- a/tools/splat_ext/tex_archives.py
+++ b/tools/splat_ext/tex_archives.py
@@ -574,5 +574,5 @@ def extract(bytes, tex_path: Path):
         json_out = json.dumps(out, sort_keys=False, indent=4)
 
         json_fn = str(tex_path) + ".json"
-        with open(json_fn, "w") as f:
+        with open(json_fn, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             f.write(json_out)
diff --git a/tools/star_rod_enum_to_decomp.py b/tools/star_rod_enum_to_decomp.py
index 2eed0cfa4e4..61bd0e8e925 100755
--- a/tools/star_rod_enum_to_decomp.py
+++ b/tools/star_rod_enum_to_decomp.py
@@ -54,9 +54,8 @@ def single_translation(file_path):
     ret = ""
 
     try:
-        file = open(file_path)
-        file_content = file.read()
-        file.close()
+        with open(file_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
+            file_content = file.read()
     except:
         print("File not found at the given path.")
         return "t", "y"
@@ -80,9 +79,8 @@ def recursive_translation(database_path):
     stuff = [f for f in glob(database_path + "/**/*.*", recursive=True) if f.endswith(".enum") or f.endswith(".flags")]
     for element in stuff:
         try:
-            file = open(element)
-            file_content = file.read()
-            file.close()
+            with open(element, "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
+                file_content = file.read()
         except:
             continue
 
@@ -111,9 +109,8 @@ def main(args):
 
     ret += result
 
-    file = open("" + enum_name + ".txt", "w+")
-    file.write(ret)
-    file.close()
+    with open("" + enum_name + ".txt", "w+", encoding="utf-8") as file:
+        file.write(ret)
 
 
 parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
diff --git a/tools/star_rod_idx_to_c.py b/tools/star_rod_idx_to_c.py
index 1e36abc329b..4197f9bc586 100755
--- a/tools/star_rod_idx_to_c.py
+++ b/tools/star_rod_idx_to_c.py
@@ -1205,7 +1205,7 @@ def add_to_symbol_map(addr, pair):
 
     disasm_script.get_constants()
 
-    with open(os.path.join(DIR, "../ver/current/splat.yaml")) as f:
+    with open(os.path.join(DIR, "../ver/current/splat.yaml"), "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         splat_config = yaml.safe_load(f.read())
 
         rom_offset = -1
@@ -1227,7 +1227,7 @@ def add_to_symbol_map(addr, pair):
     else:
         function_replacements = {}
 
-    with open(args.idxfile, "r") as f:
+    with open(args.idxfile, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         midx = parse_midx(f, vram=vram)
 
     with open(os.path.join(DIR, "../ver/current/baserom.z64"), "rb") as romfile:
diff --git a/tools/sym_info.py b/tools/sym_info.py
index cfe6c07655c..591c64399df 100755
--- a/tools/sym_info.py
+++ b/tools/sym_info.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def search_address(target_addr, map=get_map()):
     cur_file = "<no file>"
     prev_file = cur_file
     prev_line = ""
-    with open(map) as f:
+    with open(map, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         for line in f:
             if "load address" in line:
                 # Ignore .bss sections if we're looking for a ROM address
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def search_symbol(target_sym, map=get_map()):
     ram_offset = None
     cur_file = "<no file>"
     prev_line = ""
-    with open(map) as f:
+    with open(map, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         for line in f:
             if "load address" in line:
                 ram = int(line[16 : 16 + 18], 0)
diff --git a/tools/update_symbol_addrs.py b/tools/update_symbol_addrs.py
index c3df51f049e..52d7e54f1c3 100755
--- a/tools/update_symbol_addrs.py
+++ b/tools/update_symbol_addrs.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 
 
 def read_ignores():
-    with open(ignores_path) as f:
+    with open(ignores_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         lines = f.readlines()
 
     for line in lines:
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def scan_map():
     ram_offset = None
     cur_file = "<no file>"
     prev_line = ""
-    with open(map_path) as f:
+    with open(map_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         for line in f:
             if "load address" in line:
                 ram = int(line[16 : 16 + 18], 0)
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def scan_map():
 def read_symbol_addrs():
     unique_lines = set()
 
-    with open(symbol_addrs_path, "r") as f:
+    with open(symbol_addrs_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         for line in f.readlines():
             unique_lines.add(line)
 
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ def reconcile_symbols():
 
 
 def write_new_symbol_addrs():
-    with open(symbol_addrs_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+    with open(symbol_addrs_path, "w", newline="\n", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         for symbol in sorted(symbol_addrs, key=lambda x: (x[3] == -1, x[3], x[1], x[0])):
             line = f"{symbol[0]} = 0x{symbol[1]:X}; //"
             if symbol[2] and len(symbol[2]) > 0:
diff --git a/tools/warnings_count/compare_warnings.py b/tools/warnings_count/compare_warnings.py
index 0300bf2ea64..e496adc6c2c 100755
--- a/tools/warnings_count/compare_warnings.py
+++ b/tools/warnings_count/compare_warnings.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def main():
     current_warnings = [line for line in current_warnings if line]
 
     # Write the current warnings to a file
-    with open(script_dir / "warnings.txt", "w") as f:
+    with open(script_dir / "warnings.txt", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         for line in current_warnings:
             f.write(line + "\n")
 
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@ def main():
         print("build_log.txt not found. Exiting.")
         sys.exit(1)
 
-    with open(root_dir / "build_log.txt") as f:
+    with open(root_dir / "build_log.txt", "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         new_warnings = [line for line in f.readlines() if "warning" in line]
 
     # Write the new warnings to a file
-    with open(script_dir / "warnings_new.txt", "w") as f:
+    with open(script_dir / "warnings_new.txt", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.writelines(new_warnings)
 
     num_current_warnings = len(current_warnings)