Best VPNs for Japan in 2025: Securing your digital footprint

In Japan, a staggering 92% of citizens are online, and the internet is a well-engrained part of Japanese society. While internet censorship and monitoring aren’t overly pervasive, subtle changes to government policy and within society have left people concerned about their online freedom and security. Whether you’re worried about that or you’re just trying to access your usual sites and content while traveling, the best VPNs for Japan can help you out.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt all of your device’s internet traffic, preventing network admins, governments, or ISPs from seeing what you get up to online. VPNs also mask your IP address and replace it with one from the country of your choice. This can help you access content from anywhere in the world, even if it’s geo-blocked in your particular region.

But, when selecting a VPN to use for Japan, not just any provider will do. We have conducted extensive research and testing to find the best VPN services to use for content and privacy in Japan. In this article, we’ll show you not only the best VPNs to use but also how to use them. Let’s start with a quick summary:

The best VPNs to use in Japan

1. NordVPN: Our #1 choice VPN for Japan. Unblocks most streaming content at great speeds with no compromises on security and privacy. Has over 130 servers in Japan. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Japan.
2. Surfshark: Our top budget VPN for Japan. Security-focused provider with a no-logs policy, good speeds, no connection limits, and exceptional unblocking ability.
3. IPVanish: A safe and secure VPN to use in Japan. Torrent-friendly VPN with good speeds and strong security. A favorite among Kodi users. Allows you to connect unlimited simultaneous devices.
4. ExpressVPN: Premium VPN with secure RAM-only servers that can unblock most geo-restricted content in Japan and elsewhere. Also boasts a smart DNS service and its own custom router firmware.
5. CyberGhost: An easy-to-use VPN for Japan. Good for beginners thanks to its user-friendly apps, strong security, and decent speeds. Works with most streaming platforms, making it ideal for accessing Japanese content.
6. PureVPN: This affordable VPN is simple, straightforward, and secure. Offers impressive performance, a high degree of versatility, and a no-logs policy. One of the only providers with a fully graphical Linux app.
7. Private Internet Access (PIA): Boasts an extensive network of servers, top-notch privacy features, and wallet-friendly prices, making it a great choice for Japan. Total lack of connection limits mean it’s perfect for sharing with family.
8. ProtonVPN: This privacy-first VPN has a large network with plenty of servers in Japan. Works with most major streaming platforms and offers advanced features like port forwarding, a speed booster, and Tor over VPN servers.

How we selected the top Japan VPNs

There are plenty of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service. To find the best VPNs for Japan, we tested providers in the areas outlined below. We’ll discuss our testing process more thoroughly and provide full evidence of the results at the end of this post.

• Speed: We carried out several speed tests while connected to each provider’s servers in Japan. Average speeds were converted to a score out of 10 for comparison.
• Streaming access: We scored providers on the number of server locations in Japan and their compatibility with various streaming platforms.
• Security and privacy: The 16 different criteria we used for calculating security and privacy scores assessed everything from the level of encryption to the protection against leaks.
• Ease of use: We used 10 individual metrics to evaluate how easy each VPN service was to use. These assessed everything from the design of the apps to the ease of signing up to a subscription.
• Value for money: Eight unique criteria were used to gauge whether providers offered good value for money, including the number of permitted connections and the existence (or not) of a free trial.

You can read more about our testing criteria, and the results of those tests in our methodology section below. But first, let’s take a closer look at the providers who impressed us.

Best VPNs for Japan: Comparison

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Japan.

The best VPNs for Japan

At Comparitech, we aim to bring you the most accurate and helpful VPN recommendations possible. To do this, we personally try out every VPN, subjecting them to rigorous real-world testing and seeing how they hold up against everyday tasks like streaming. The following reviews are based on those first-hand experiences.

Here is our list of the best VPNs for Japan:

1. NordVPN

Feb 2025 Works in JapanTested Feb 2025

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for Japan. It operates around 130 servers throughout Osaka and Tokyo, with clusters in more than 110 other countries around the world. One thing users will appreciate is that this VPN excels at accessing region-locked content; our testers were able to view a huge range of Japanese content as well as international services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer while connected.

To find out what sort of speeds users might expect, we tested out the provider’s Japan servers at various times of day using a virtual machine with a base connection speed of 250 Mbps. You can see the results below.

NordVPN was fast in all three tests, and had an average overall speed of 151.12 Mbps. This was one of the quickest providers we saw, and its speeds were quite consistent regardless of the time we ran our tests. In short, this service is more than capable of streaming 4K video, torrenting, or making video calls.

Our research revealed that NordVPN is one of the most security-conscious providers on the market. It has a true zero-logs policy, has been audited multiple times in the past, and even managed to avoid exposing its users following server seizure — this truly is the gold standard and very few other VPNs can claim to meet it.

But what about the apps themselves? For starters, they use uncrackable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a customizable kill switch. However, there are tons of advanced features too, such as automatic ad and tracker-blocking, censorship-beating obfuscated servers, and custom protocols (NordLynx and the newly-released NordWhisper). If you’re looking for full control over your connection, NordVPN is the provider for you.

A single subscription can secure up to 10 devices simultaneously. There are apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android, though you’ll have to manually configure this VPN to get it running on home routers.

BEST VPN FOR JAPAN:NordVPN is our top choice. With a broad range of servers, including many in Japan, this is a good all-rounder option that works with Netflix and most other video streaming services. Great online privacy and security credentials. Offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Works in JapanTested Feb 2025

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for people in Japan. It has 3,200 servers in 100 countries, and dozens spread across Tokyo, Japan. As such, it’s a great option for anyone looking to access Japanese or international streaming platforms while traveling. This VPN even works with stubborn services like Netflix, Hulu, and TV Tokyo! Best of all, there’s no connection limit, meaning you can watch on any device you own.

Now, this doesn’t mean much if it’s too slow to handle whatever tasks you’re planning. We performed multiple speed tests throughout the day to see how Surfshark held up. Let’s see the the results:

Surfshark averaged 165.94 Mbps overall, and was the fastest provider we tested. Even more impressive, there was just 6 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results! With speeds like these, you should have no issues watching 4K content, playing games, or torrenting, even if others in your home are using the internet at the same time.

From the moment you start using this VPN, you’ll notice how strong its focus on security is. The apps are packed with privacy tools, from automatic tracker-blocking to a feature that swaps your IP address periodically. This is backed up with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an independently-verified no-logs policy. You can even pay in cryptocurrency if you’d like another layer of anonymity during registration.

Surfshark apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It can be manually configured for use with internet routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is great value and allows you to stream your favorite shows no matter where you are in the world. With fast download speeds, a strong security focus, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s an excellent choice for anyone in Japan.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

Works in JapanTested Feb 2025

IPVanish has more more than 2,400 servers and just recently added more than 50 new countries to its network. It operates around 70 servers throughout Tokyo and Osaka and if you’re hoping to stream Japanese content while on vacation, you’re in luck; we’ve had great results using this VPN with platforms like Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video. What’s more, IPVanish stands out from the competition even more by having absolutely no connection limits.

The real question is whether IPVanish can deliver high enough speeds to cater to every user’s requirements. To find out, we tested its Japanese servers over the course of a day:

While it wasn’t the fastest service we saw, IPVanish achieved speeds consistently above 100 Mbps, which is still a great result. Its overall average of 116.02 Mbps makes it suitable for streaming, gaming, and other similarly demanding tasks.

According to industry standards, a VPN must use secure protocols, as-yet-uncrackable encryption, and additional protections like leak protection and a kill switch to be considered safe. IPVanish has all of these and more. For instance, it’s capable of obfuscating OpenVPN traffic, blocking online trackers outright, and connecting automatically when you use a public network. Best of all, IPVanish follows a strict no-logs policy and has been audited to prove it.

IPVanish also permits torrenting on all its servers, which is an ideal choice for Japan, given the extremely harsh torrenting laws in place (more on that at the bottom of this article). Its fast speeds and minimal downtime mean IPVanish works fantastically well with Kodi too.

The IPVanish basic subscription is great value, with a monthly price equivalent to $2.19. If you’re happy to spend a little more than that, you can opt an Advanced plan. This comes with a sandboxed secure browser and a generous 1TB of cloud storage.

There are apps for both iOS and Android, as well as desktop support for Windows and MacOS. You can also manually install it on Linux systems or routers if you’d prefer.

SECURE EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish has a large network of servers and handles multiple connections well. Easy to use and preferred by users who need high standards of internet privacy. Its annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

Works in JapanTested Feb 2025

ExpressVPN is particularly well-suited to novice users thanks to its clean, minimalist apps and straightforward design. Users can get an IP address from 105 countries (including Japan) in as little as two clicks, and you’ll rarely have to try more than one server to find one that works with your favorite streaming service. Further, ExpressVPN has more Japanese locations than any of its rivals, with servers in Tokyo, Osaka, Shibuya, and Yokohama.

So how fast are ExpressVPN’s servers in Japan? To find out, we tested them at three times of day using a 250 Mbps connection:

ExpressVPN achieved an average download speed of 96.84 Mbps. This is fast enough for comfortably streaming in 4K — providing you have a decent internet connection. Its consistency was extremely impressive too, with barely 7 Mbps of difference between its fastest and slowest test results.

ExpressVPN doesn’t store any traffic logs but does retain metadata about the date (not time) of connection, choice of server location, and total bandwidth used. This isn’t an issue because your individual IP address is not stored. For users who are still feeling skittish—you can sign up anonymously by using a burner email account and paying via Bitcoin—so none of the activity will ever be traced back to you.

This service uses effectively-uncrackable 256-bit AES-CBC encryption backed up by a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and built-in ad, tracker, and malware-blocking. If you visit a country with strict online censorship, ExpressVPN will automatically begin obfuscating your traffic too, so there’s no need to configure anything. In other words, you’re getting what you pay for regarding ease of access, privacy, and excellent security standards.

There are apps for Android and iOS, as well as desktop support for Linux, Windows, and MacOS. Unlike most of its rivals, ExpressVPN even offers its own custom firmware for routers.

PRIVACY-FIRST VPN:ExpressVPN is a reliable option in Japan. It has RAM-only servers in several Japanese locations and a dedicated app for routers. It comes with always-on obfuscation and it’s great for streaming. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee too.

Here’s our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

Works in JapanTested Feb 2025

CyberGhost is an impressive VPN with easy-to-use apps that are ideal for beginners. It has a whopping 10,000+ servers spread across 100+ countries, including lots in Japan, so accessing local content shouldn’t be an issue. Of course, it’s also capable of unblocking plenty of international platforms too — you can even check which servers are best for a given service in the “For streaming” tab.

We carried out several speed tests while connected to the provider’s servers in Japan. You can see the results in the chart below.

CyberGhost was very quick, with an average download speed of 154.26 Mbps. This was more than 35 Mbps faster than the combined average download speeds of the other tested providers. It’s a great choice if you want fast speeds for gaming or are planning on streaming in high resolution.

The provider doesn’t store any user logs or data, and since it’s based in Romania, it isn’t legally required to store any data. CyberGhost uses 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, along with 2,048-bit RSA keys and MD5 HMAC authentication. There’s also an internet kill switch included, which means web traffic will be halted if the connection drops unexpectedly. We really like the amount of flexibility that the smart rules feature offers: you can automatically connect to your favorite server and open up a specific program after just a minute of setup.

Apps are available for Android and iOS, as well as Linux, Windows, and macOS. Want to install it on your router? Just follow the manual setup instructions on CyberGhost’s website.

230+ JAPANESE SERVERS:CyberGhost has a vast global server network and a simple set-up ideal for beginners. Works well in Japan. Good option if you are looking for a fast, reliable connection and an easy-to-use interface. It comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of CyberGhost.

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6. PureVPN

works in JapanTested Feb 2025

PureVPN is a budget-friendly VPN that is ideal for people in Japan. Its network comprises of around 6,000 servers in 65 countries and its speeds are generally very impressive. However, what really stands out to users is this VPN’s streaming ability; we’ve had success with tricky services like Netflix Japan, Hulu, Tokyo TV, TV Asahi, and NHK, to name a few. You can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously, making this already-affordable provider even better value.

To find out how fast its servers in Japan were, we carried out several speed tests over the course of a day. You can see the results in the chart below.

PureVPN has a reputation for being fast, and it’s performance here didn’t disappoint. It averaged 141.83 Mbps, making it more than fast enough for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and making private video calls. There was a slight dip in speed during the evening but that’s to be expected, since this is when user numbers are highest.

Our team were impressed by the level of security on offer here. PureVPN blends AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks to keep your data safe at all times. There are also tools designed to protect you while on public Wi-Fi and to let you know if your details have been found in any major data breaches. Port forwarding is supported, but costs a little extra each month. Most importantly, this VPN refuses to log anything that could identify you.

The biggest drawback is the slow response time of the live chat support. That said, you’ll usually get a reply before too long and in our experience, PureVPN tends to work pretty consistently so you may not ever need assistance.

The VPN is compatible across multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Alternatively, it can be manually installed on most routers.

SUPERB VALUE:PureVPN is perfect for Japanese internet users wanting privacy and accessibility on a budget. It is easy to use and comes with all the features necessary to gain watertight online privacy. It has a 31-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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7. Private Internet Access

Works in JapanTested Feb 2025

Private Internet Access (PIA) takes the stress out of staying safe online. It boasts RAM-only servers in 90+ countries (including Japan), and even has some designed to unblock popular Japanese platforms. For instance, you’ll be able to stream Hulu, TVer, and NHK, as well as international platforms like BBC iPlayer. That’s not all: this provider recently ditched its connection limit and can now be used to secure every device you own simultaneously.

Now, every VPN will slow down your connection to some degree, which is why we wanted to see how much of an impact PIA had. To find out, we tested its Japanese servers three times. You can see the results in the chart below.

The first thing you’ll notice is that PIA’s speeds were highly variable. In our first test, it achieved an admirable 139.97 Mbps but it struggled to maintain this level of performance, dropping almost 100 Mbps during our noon test. We should stress that even at its slowest, PIA remained fast enough for virtually any task, though.

PIA is not only wallet-friendly but also offers a reliable service with strong security and privacy features. Despite being headquartered in the US, PIA is committed to user privacy and has a strict no-logs policy (one proven by multiple independent audits), so you can be sure your data stays private.

If you’re looking for customizable security, PIA is a fantastic choice. It supports OpenVPN and WireGuard, uses AES-256 encryption, and includes a kill switch, leak protection, and tracker-blocking. Advanced users can also change various port options, DNS settings, obfuscate their traffic, split tunnel, or set up automated connection rules. Need help? PIA’s 24/7 support team is always available to assist.

Private Internet Access has its own Android, iOS, MacOS, and Windows apps. It even boasts a GUI-based Linux app and can be manually configured to work with a wide range of routers.

EASY TO USE:Private Internet Access is user-friendly, stores no logs, offers great VPN security and unblocks most streaming services. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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8. ProtonVPN

Works in JapanTested Feb 2025

ProtonVPN has roughly 11,500 servers spread throughout 110+ countries, with almost 80 in Japan alone. Not only that, it does a great job at flying under the radar, making it ideal for anyone hoping to securely access platforms like Netflix, NHK, or TV Tokyo. Whether you’d like to torrent anonymously or get a Japanese IP address from abroad, this VPN can make it happen. Plus, you can connect up to 10 devices at once!

Let’s talk about performance. You don’t need an ultra-fast connection for most tasks, though naturally, higher speeds are preferable, especially if you’re planning on downloading large files. We tested ProtonVPN’s servers in Japan three times over the course of a day to see how reliable it was:

The provider averaged 68.25 Mbps overall, which is fine for everyday tasks provided that you have a fast base connection speed (ours was 250 Mbps). Its results were generally quite consistent, and while there was a slight drop in the evening, most users probably wouldn’t even notice any difference.

ProtonVPN was developed by the team behind ProtonMail, a secure email service beloved by privacy-minded activists and journalists the world over. From a professional standpoint, we can safely say that there are very few other services with this kind of pedigree.

User traffic is kept private thanks to this VPN’s powerful encryption, leak protection, and kill switch. However, with a brand as notable as Proton, it’s only natural that there’d be more advanced features built-in as well. These include split tunneling and port forwarding support, a speed booster, obfuscation, and servers designed to help you access the dark web. This service is based in Switzerland, a privacy-friendly country, and its no-logs policy has been rigorously audited, as have its apps and network infrastructure. This ensures you can completely trust the VPN.

ProtonVPN apps are available for MacOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS. If you’d like to protect more than 10 devices, just follow the router setup guide on its website.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN is highly secure and reliable. It is a superb option for torrenting and gaining watertight online privacy. Servers are available in over 112+ countries, and it works to access Japanese platforms from abroad. 24/7 live chat support is available on its website. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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Finding the best VPNs for Japan: Our methodology

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market, but they were not all created equal. This can make it difficult to decide which is best for you, and it is common for consumers to end up frustrated by a service that doesn’t fulfil their needs. To ensure this doesn’t happen to our readers, we fully evaluate each provider before recommending them. To find the best VPNs for Japan, we looked at the following areas:

Speed

There’s little point in paying for a VPN that’s too slow to use. We checked how fast providers were by carrying out several speed test while connected to their servers in Japan. Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app, which was installed on a virtual machine that had been rate-limited to 250 Mbps. This figure was chosen as it’s the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US. This helps us replicate the average users’ real-world experience.

Surfshark was the fastest provider overall. NordVPN and CyberGhost are also excellent choices if speed is important to you. Remember — a fast VPN doesn’t make your connection faster, it’s just better equipped to preserver your existing speed.

Streaming access

Whether you are in Japan or traveling abroad, you may need to access Japanese services and platforms that are region-locked. VPNs that have Japanese servers let you prevent tracking and surveillance even when using local Japanese services. With this in mind, we scored providers based on the number of server locations they had in Japan, as this is often a good reflection of the actual number of servers they have. We also scored them on the number of big-name streaming platforms they were able to access. The combination of these two scores gave us our ‘streaming access’ score. We used this to directly compare providers.

As you can see from the above chart, ExpressVPN had the best combination of server locations and compatibility with popular streaming services. NordVPN and IPVanish are the next-best options.

Security and privacy

We only recommend VPNs that are able to provide a high standard of security and privacy. We use the following criteria to weed out any that fail to do this.

Each of the above criteria had several possible point values, depending on what the VPN offered. We assigned these and combined them to get a final score out of 10. This way, even if you’re not a digital security expert, you can still get a decent idea of which services are the most secure, comparitively:

NordVPN and Surfshark are the best equipped to keep users safe online, with strong encryption and powerful obfuscation available. ProtonVPN is an excellent alternative option.

Ease of use

VPN software shouldn’t be difficult to use, and the company behind it shouldn’t be difficult to contact. These and other criteria shown in the table below help us determine whether a particular service is user-friendly.

We scored providers on each criteria, and then combined these scores to give a score out of 10 for comparison.

You can tell right away that this was a close competition — the lowest score any of our top VPNs received was 8.8. Still, overall, NordVPN and PIA came out on top thanks to their reliablity, ease of sign up, and streamlined apps.

Value for money

Online freedom and security should be accessible on any budget, so we look for VPNs that offer great value for money. We prioritize those providers that offer deals on longer-term subscriptions, free trials, and money-back guarantees. You can see the whole range of metrics we use for evaluation in the table below.

We assigned a score to each of these metrics so that we were left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.

Surfshark and then IPVanish are the best value providers — both offer unlimited simultaneous device connections and low-cost subscriptions. NordVPN and CyberGhost are also well worth considering.

How to use a VPN in Japan

Don’t worry if you’ve never used a VPN before, the process is quite simple. Just follow the steps below, and you’ll be browsing securely in no time.

Here’s how to use a VPN for Japan:

1. Sign up for a VPN. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app making sure to get the correct version for your device.
3. Connect to a server in the location of your choice. For example, if you want to access Japanese content securely, connect to a Japanese server. If you want to access US content from Japan, choose a US server.
4. Connect to the website or streaming platform you wish to access. You should now be able to access geo-restricted content and browse the internet with total freedom.
5. If you have trouble accessing the services you want, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache and reloading the page. Alternatively, try a different server or contact your VPN’s customer support team for more help.

Free Japan VPN options

It’s possible that you’ll find a free VPN that works for you in Japan. However, we don’t recommend them because free VPNs have several drawbacks.

For example, if you want to perform data-intensive tasks such as streaming video, gaming, torrenting, or VoiP, then a free VPN is not going to meet your needs. This is because free VPN servers are often under-optimized and over-subscribed, making them slow and sluggish.

If you want to unblock content in another country, you might also be out of luck. This is because free VPNs don’t have wide server networks, so you may not find one in the location you want. Plus, they often leak user data, making them unsuitable for unblocking and leaving users frustrated.

They are also not great for privacy. Not only do some free VPN servers leak your data, but some free services even infect your device with adware. They will inject ads into your browser as a revenue stream. Another way they make money is through the collection and harvesting of user data to sell to third parties. Not every free VPN does this, but it is becoming a more common practice.

There are some free VPNs you can trust, but these are often free versions of the premium services we list above. For more information, check out our free VPN recommendations. If you want a VPN without paying, you can always take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee that many premium providers offer. You will need to pay upfront, but you can claim this back if you apply for a refund in the first 30 days.

Japanese internet freedom

Japan’s internet is ranked by Freedom House as “free” with the advocacy body noting that currently, there are no restrictions on social media apps, access to content, or clampdowns on popular bloggers. This is strengthened by Japan’s constitution, which protects all forms of speech and prohibits censorship.

But national security concerns may cause a rethink at the federal level. In 2013, lawmakers in Japan passed the “Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets”. The statutes ensconced in the act criminalize leaking and publishing national secrets regardless of intent or content. Freedom House notes that this has potential ramifications for journalists, whistleblowers, and civil society watchdogs.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee agrees that the legislation is vague and broad when it comes to defining the exact limitations of secretive matters. Individuals caught violating these parameters will be subject to high criminal penalties and lead to self-censorship by journalists and human rights defenders.

Related: A beginner’s guide to online censorship.

The laws came about after a recommendation by Japan’s communication ministry to start regulating cyberspace. The guidelines sought to rein in influential news sites, subjecting them to the same kind of regulations that bind physical newspapers and broadcast television channels. The report, titled “Final Report on a Comprehensive Legal System for Communications and Broadcasting,” stated that “there is a need for an active effort from the government…as it is difficult for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to individually make judgments regarding concrete harmfulness”.

Augmenting the atmosphere of fear is the country’s crackdown on media freedoms in the East Asian country. In 2016, Foreign Policy reported on the Japanese government’s forceful takedown of popular voices.

Three outspoken television anchors were mysteriously removed from their jobs, with the general perception that the dismissals were orchestrated by the government, although there is no independent method of verifying this claim. The country’s largest liberal newspaper, Asahi Shimbun, was also forced to be subdued.

Such developments compelled the UN to carry out a fact-finding mission in the country, during which it met with journalists, educators, and government officials. At the end of the mission, the global body declared that the “independence of press in Japan is facing serious threats”.

“Across a range of areas, I learned of deep and genuine concern that trends are moving sharply and alarmingly in the wrong direction. This is especially acute in the context of media independence,” added David Kaye, UN’s special rapporteur.

Related: 11 privacy steps every journalist should take to protect themselves and their sources.

The day after the report, Japan’s ranking in press freedom by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders slid 11 places to 72 out of 180 countries surveyed.

Foreign Policy added that Japan’s spy agency, the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, spied on this particular UN mission by tracking the movements of a local lawyer who assisted the fact-finding team. These are troubling developments for a country that has prided itself as the largest democracy in the region and may provide a snapshot of what lies ahead.

Having said that, it’s important to state that there haven’t yet been any official arrests of media personnel under this new legislation. There is, however, a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment for those found guilty of revealing state secrets.

Torrenting in Japan

Japanese citizens are subject to some of the harshest anti-torrenting laws on the planet, with violations running a huge 10 million Yen fine and up to two years in prison.

Users on sites like Reddit and Quora do suggest that downloading torrents in Japan won’t land you anywhere near the maximum penalties in most cases. But why take these risks? There were 27 people arrested in 2013 after being caught uploading manga, video games, anime, and music videos without the explicit permission of copyright holders, so there is precedent.

If your explicit aim while browsing the web in Japan is to download torrents, we suggest you read through our guide of the best VPNs for P2P filesharing and protect yourself thoroughly.

Using VPN in Japan: FAQs