How to Watch Japanese TV From Overseas (Updated for 2024)

Japanese TV has become popular around the world in recent years. With captivating content on news, music, sports, radio, and much more, it’s easy to see why people have grown to like Japanese TV. Before now, if you stay outside Japan, accessing these contents, can be challenging. However, we’ve come up with a straightforward solution on how you can watch Japanese channels with ease – use a VPN.

One popular site to stay updated on sporting activities in Japan is DAZN. There is also Netflix Japan, GYAO, AbemaTV, Amazon Prime, Niconico, and Hulu, where you can watch trending videos and movies. Radiko is one of the leading radio channels in Japan, and if you are a gamer, you’ll love DMM games. All these sites have their full content accessible only in Japan. So, why can’t you access them from other countries?

Why is Japanese TV blocked in other countries?

The reason is a simple one. Many of these sites have only purchased the rights to broadcast their content within Japan. Therefore, they do not have the rights to show it to others outside the country. And to stay within the confines of these rights, they implement what is called a geo-restriction which makes their content only accessible to those with a Japanese IP address.

How to watch Japanese TV even if you are outside Japan

The key to unlocking the geographical restriction that Japanese TV sites have placed on their content is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Japanese TV sites can identify devices that try to access their content from countries other than Japan through the IP address. For example, when it spots a French IP address, the site blocks its content on such devices.

Now with a VPN, you’ll have a Japanese IP address to watch as many Japanese TV contents as you like. Your traffic will be sent through the VPN’s server, so to others, it will seem like you are in Japan.

Five best VPN services for accessing Japanese TV outside Japan

Now, there are several VPNs out there, some free and others paid. Below, we’ll show you five of the best VPNs that’ll give you access to Japanese TV no matter where you are.

Which one should you go for?

All five VPNs are excellent to use, so it can be very confusing which to select from. Here are some things to guide you on the decision you make.

1. Server location: This is the most important thing to consider when looking for a VPN to use to watch your favorite Japanese shows. For this purpose, only Japanese servers will work. Hence, it’s no use getting a VPN that doesn’t have servers in Japan. Always make sure that your preferred provider has a good number of servers in Japan before you commit to it.
2. Cost: There are different prices of VPNs out there, but most of them are relatively cheap. Ensure that the worth of your preferred choice matches the price tag placed on it before you subscribe to it.
3. Bandwidth and speed: No one likes watching a video that buffers all through. It can be a frustrating experience, so ensure that your VPN has fast performance. Imagine you are watching a movie on some captivating channel, and without warning, you get cut off. You try troubleshooting, but nothing works. If you get a VPN that has daily bandwidth caps, you will experience this often.
4. Number of simultaneous connections allowed: A VPN that allows many simultaneous connections at once is always a preferred choice. However, you still have to be careful so that your connection doesn’t drop several times while you watch Japanese TV. Five is a good number to go with. Anything less doesn’t allow for flexibility.
5. Protocols run on the VPN: With this factor, the more, the better. There are several protocols that can be run on a VPN service like OpenVPN, IPsec, PPTP, and so on. A VPN that runs on recent protocols is always better.

Is it legal to use a VPN?

In many countries, using a VPN to watch movies and news, play games, listen to radio programs and even chat with friends is legal. However, some countries restrict or prohibit their use for security concerns. For example, in Iraq and North Korea, it is illegal to use a VPN for any purpose.

In countries where it is legal to use VPNs, there are some illegal activities where you should not use a VPN. These include;

• Hacking: Cybersecurity has become a major threat in the world in recent years, and hacking tops the list of these threats. With VPNs, the security concerns are heightened because of the anonymity that most services provide. It is a crime to use VPNs to hack other people’s computers, mobile phones, or other devices.
• Illegal-File sharing: Authors, writers, and other creators of artistic work have the license to determine how their content is to be shared. Even though VPNs provide a channel for this illicit activity, it is a crime to use them to share files without a license.
• Carrying out activities on the Dark Web: The Dark web is a marked zone in many countries of the world. Therefore, using a VPN to sell, buy, or steal weapons, drugs, and illicit materials from the dark web is a punishable crime.
• Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking: The anonymity that VPNs allow has caused many people to use it to stalk and bully others. VPNs are not created for this purpose.

In short, activities that are illegal without the use of a Virtual Private Network remain illegal with its use. The only difference is that a VPN will keep you anonymous and reduce the likelihood of getting caught.

Can I use a free VPN instead?

Like we mentioned earlier, VPNs can either be free or paid. But the free type has so many problems that we do not recommend them.

Firstly, free VPNs can be very slow. They are no match compared to the speed of paid VPNs. The bandwidth cap is also another problem with free VPNs. In most of them, you cannot watch as many Japanese TV shows as you like.

Lastly, and most importantly, free VPNs keep logs of your activities. There is no guarantee that your details are not saved for future use, with some even sending unsolicited adverts gotten from your search results.

Frequently Asked Questions on Watching Japanese TV Outside Japan

How can I use a VPN to watch Japanese TV outside Japan?

Using a VPN to watch Japanese TV is a fairly straightforward process. First, you need to select a VPN service if you don’t already have one. Go to the VPN service’s website, purchase a subscription plan, and download the application for your operating system. Next, install the application and enter your account credentials to have access to its server network. Then, connect to a server in Japan. Finally, open a browser window and go to the website of the platform that hosts your favorite Japanese shows. 

What is the best VPN for Japanese TV?

ExpressVPN takes our number one spot. It is fast, reliable, consistent, and performs excellently well on every front. With a significant server network in Japan, ExpressVPN easily unblocks Netflix Japan and other popular streaming services that host Japanese content. In addition, there’s no other VPN out there that makes you feel secure watching a Japanese movie or show. It has many security and privacy features that keep you safe. Furthermore, you can use it on several devices as it is compatible with different operating systems. To cap it off, ExpressVPN’s support team is accommodating and will respond to any issues you encounter. 

Will a VPN slow down my internet speed while watching Japanese TV?

VPNs can influence the speed of your connection. Premium VPNs like ExpressVPN ensure that you do not feel the speed reduction. Performance-wise they are likely to not give you any issues, as your ISP primarily determines your internet speed. However, another factor that comes into play is the distance between you and the server you’re using. You are likely to experience a significant speed reduction if you connect to a long-distance server. 

I don’t understand Japanese. How will I watch Japanese TV?

In some cases, streaming platforms provide English-dubbed versions of Japanese movies and shows or subtitles you can read while watching. For example, Netflix Japan usually makes available languages you can use as subtitles when you’re watching a show. If the streaming platform you use does not provide any of the above, you have two options: find another streaming platform or learn Japanese!

In conclusion

Japan has some of the best TV channels to keep you glued to your screen all day long. But the problem has always been how to access its content even if you are several miles away from the country.

In this article, we have shown how you can go around the geographical restriction these Japanese sites place on their content, using a VPN. We’ve also included 5 of the best VPNs and the criteria to look out for when picking one to watch Japanese TV.

Happy viewing!