How to Watch Japanese TV: Unlock Japanese Series & Anime

Isn’t it frustrating that content remains confined within geographical boundaries in today’s globalized digital landscape? Whether it’s your favorite Japanese series or a much-anticipated anime episode, geo-restrictions can dampen the excitement. Like you, millions experience this roadblock daily when they want to watch Japanese TV abroad, irrespective of borders. In this article, we show you how to bypass such restrictions with a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPNs are your ticket to internet without borders. Using a VPN, your internet traffic travels incognito, shielded in a fortified, encrypted tunnel so no one can see your digital footprints. In addition, it spoofs your location, making it look as though you are connecting from somewhere other than your physical location. In this case, you’d choose a server in Japan and be able to access Japanese content from anywhere.

Ready to bypass limitations? Our exhaustive reviews below will guide you to the best VPNs for Japanese content enthusiasts and explain exactly how to use them to access Japanese TV from anywhere. Pressed for time? Don’t worry; we’ll start with a quick summary of the best options. Let’s make geo-restrictions a thing of the past!

Best VPN for Japanese TV:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for streaming Japanese TV channels. Has over 130 servers in Japan and works great for streaming Fuji TV. Connect up to 10 devices. No-logs service with 24/7 support and double VPN servers. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Japanese TV.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for Japanese content.  No connection limit. Stream Japanese TV, including NHK and TV Asahi. Excellent apps, 24/7 support, and plenty of security features.
3. Total VPN: Works well with Japanese TV and global streaming services. Fast servers in 85+ countries. Protects user traffic with strong encryption. Easy-to-use apps make it a great choice for new users.
4. ProtonVPN: Impressive VPN with plenty of advanced features for tech-savvy users. Works with many popular TV channels and streaming platforms.
5. ExpressVPN: Quick and reliable servers in over 100 countries. Includes a robust set of privacy features. Unblocks NHK, Nippon TV, and other streaming services in Japan.
6. IPVanish: A no-logs VPN boasting 24/7 support, user-friendly apps, and fast servers in Japan that work with TBS TV. Connect as many devices as you like.
7. CyberGhost: Make it easy to watch Netflix JP, TV Asahi, and TV Tokyo from outside of Japan. Delivers very fast speeds and a high degree of privacy, while securing up to seven devices simultaneously.
8. PureVPN: Low-cost VPN with servers in 65+ countries, including Japan. A great option for anyone who wants to access TVer, FOD, Hulu, or Netflix Japan from abroad.
   
9. PrivateVPN: Works with Nippon TV, Hulu Japan, and Tokyo MX. Beginner-friendly desktop and mobile apps. Offers a no-logs policy, strong encryption, and powerful obfuscation.

How to stream Japanese TV abroad with a VPN

In order to watch Japanese TV shows abroad, you’ll need to connect to a VPN server. This is quick and easy to do. Simply follow the step-by-step proven guide below, and you’ll be streaming your favorite Japanese drama or anime content outside Japan in a matter of minutes:

Based on our testing, here’s how you watch Japanese TV online with a VPN:

1. The first step is to sign up with a VPN that has servers in Japan. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Next, download and install one of the VPN’s apps on your streaming devices. Be sure to check that it’s the correct version for your operating system.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to a Japanese VPN server for a Japanese IP address. This allows you to spoof your location and stream Japanese TV shows overseas.

   

4. Go to your preferred Japanese streaming platform. You should now be able to play previously unavailable content as though you were still in Japan.
5. If the content is still blocked, you should clear your browser’s cookies and refresh the page. Alternatively, try another server or contact your VPN’s customer support for further assistance.

Choosing the best VPNs for watching Japanese TV online

While many VPNs offer servers in Japan, they don’t all provide the same level of service. In fact, some may not even be quick enough to stream at all! That’s why our experts take a holistic approach, thoroughly examining every aspect of potential recommendations before they make the cut. Here are the main areas we focus on:

• Speed: We carried out several speed tests while connected to each provider’s servers in Japan. We used a rate-limited machine to simulate a real user’s experience.
• Streaming ability: We tested each VPN with the Japan-only services: TV Tokyo, TV Asahi, and Abema TV. Next, we tried them with popular international streaming services to get a more rounded idea of their capabilities.
• Value for money: To find the VPNs that offer the best deal for potential subscribers, we evaluate them against eight unique criteria ranging from the number of permitted connections to the cost of the cheapest plan.
• Security and privacy: VPNs are primarily designed to protect your connection. To make sure they do this properly, we evaluate them against 16 different criteria. These include the strength of encryption and whether leak protection is present.
• Ease of use: We try to prioritize VPNs that provide a seamless experience. To find the services that were the most straightforward and newcomer-friendly, we evaluated them against 10 individual metrics, such as app quality and the existence of router support.

You can read more about how we test VPNs (and the results of those tests) in the methodology section at the bottom of this post. With that said, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

Best VPNs for Japanese TV compared

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

Best VPNs for Japanese TV

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching Japanese TV online from abroad:

1. NordVPN

Aug 2025

NordVPN is our top choice for watching Japanese TV. It has around 7,900 servers in approximately 126 countries, with around 130 in Japan alone. Further, this VPN excels at bypassing stubborn regional restrictions. Our thorough testing revealed that it works flawlessly with Fuji TV, TBS TV, Netflix Japan, and NHK, to name a few platforms. Users can connect up to 10 devices at once and have access to 24/7 support via live chat.

We tested the speed of NordVPN’s servers in Japan to see if they were suitable for streaming. As you can see from the chart below, the answer is a resounding “yes”. For reference, our speed before we connected to a VPN was 250 Mbps.

Speeds averaged 171.76 Mbps, which is more than fast enough for streaming  Japanese TV or Netflix Japan at 4K resolution. Overall, NordVPN was the second-fastest service we tested, and more than 23 Mbps faster than the combined average speeds of the other tested providers.

If security is a priority, you’ll appreciate NordVPN’s commitment to keeping you safe. It follows a strict no-logs policy and has been independently audited multiple times. Not only that, this service boasts 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a Threat Protection tool that takes care of ads, trackers, and malware automatically. Just recently, it launched the NordWhisper protocol to give users in countries with extreme censorship an alternative to NordVPN’s slightly slower obfuscated servers.

NordVPN offers apps for the following operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. There are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. However, you’ll need to follow manual setup instructions for use with routers.

BEST VPN FOR JAPANESE TV:NordVPN is our #1 choice. Works reliably in Japan and unblocks TV Tokyo. More than 7,900 servers worldwide. Strong security with high-end encryption and a strict no-logs policy. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for streaming Japanese TV abroad. Its network spans 100 countries, including Japan, and despite its low price, this service is capable of accessing difficult platforms like Abema TV, NHK, and TV Tokyo. Best of all, Surfshark lets you connect every device you own simultaneously and offers around-the-clock support just in case anything doesn’t work as expected.

Obviously, unblocking ability doesn’t mean much if your VPN is too slow to actually load the content. With this in mind, we tested Surfshark’s Japanese servers are three different times of day to measure its speed and consistency. You can see the results in the chart below.

You might be a little surprised to see that this budget-friendly VPN outpaced NordVPN. It was the fastest VPN overall with an average speed of 174.44 Mbps. However, it was slightly less consistent than NordVPN, with a drop in speed during our noon test. But, even at its slowest, it’s more than enough for streaming, torrenting, or gaming.

Perhaps Surfshark’s main selling point is its sheer number of security features. For starters, there’s a proven no-logs policy, which ensures your online activities can’t be revealed under any circumstances. There’s also 256-bit AES encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch, plus automatic ad, tracker, and malware-blocking. If that’s not enough, you can always connect to a MultiHop (Double VPN) server for an extra layer of encryption.

Surfshark offers easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can also download an app for Amazon Fire TV as well as browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Manual installation is required for use with routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is highly affordable and unblocks the likes of Nippon TV, TV Tokyo, and NHK. Extremely high speeds with novice-friendly apps and 24/7 support. Strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN is an easy-to-use service with a minimalistic interface. It’s well-suited to VPN newbies or those who want a hassle-free connection to Japan. In our tests it worked perfectly with TV Tokyo, Hulu Japan, and TVer. It was also able to access Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video without issue.

In our speed tests, the provider was consistently quick. Its download speed averaged 162.99 Mbps overall, with a difference of only 7.38 Mbps between the slowest and fastest results. This makes it a great option for interruption-free streaming or gaming.

Security and privacy features include effectively uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, built-in leak protection, and a kill switch. Split tunneling is available for those who want to use some apps outside of the VPN tunnel.

Total VPN uses the lightweight and fast WireGuard protocol by default, though users can switch to OpenVPN, IPSec, or HYDRA if they wish. HYDRA is particularly useful for anyone trying to connect from a restrictive country such as the UAE. HYDRA’s ability to disguise VPN traffic as regular traffic helps it evade detection.

Subscriptions are very affordable, with a one-year plan costing the equivalent of $1.59 a month. Better yet, these come with free ad-blocking (Total AdBlock) and antivirus (TotalAV) software.

SECURE CONNECTIONS:Total VPN uses strong 256-bit AES encryption to protect user traffic. It’s easy-to-use apps also come with leak protection and a kill switch. Speedy servers in 85+ countries are ideal for streaming Japanese TV. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a highly reliable option if you are traveling abroad and want to keep up with your favorite Japanese TV shows. It operates dozens of P2P and streaming-optimized servers in Japan and during our hands-on testing, was able to access stubborn platforms like Rakuten TV, WOWOW, and Hulu. Up to 10 devices can be secured at the same time.

We performed three speed tests on ProtonVPN’s Japanese tests to see how quick they were and how much their performance fluctuated throughout the day. You’ll find the results below:

ProtonVPN delivered an impressive performance, with speeds over 130 Mbps in all three tests. All in all, it averaged 156.41 Mbps — well above the 25 Mbps needed to watch 4K video without any issues.

Very few services have as good a reputation as ProtonVPN does. It was developed by the team behind ProtonMail and is headquartered in Switzerland, which means it has a strong reputation for security and privacy. The service is known for its strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activities remain private.

Not only that, but ProtonVPN is loaded with essential features. These include AES encryption, a range of protocols, obfuscation, split tunneling, multi-hop connections, Secure Core servers, and the ability to access the Tor network. These capabilities are particularly useful in countries with strict online censorship and surveillance.

ProtonVPN has its own apps for Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux. What’s more, it provides manual setup instructions for a wide range of router firmware.

ADVANCED AND SECURE:ProtonVPN is an impressive, high-quality VPN that’s great for streaming Japanese TV abroad. Works with many popular streaming services. Powerful security safeguards. Easy to use on all devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a novice-friendly service with a lot to offer. Its expansive network covers more than 105 countries, with servers in four Japanese regions: Tokyo, Osaka, Shibuya, and Yokohama. What’s particularly great about this VPN is that you’ll rarely have to try multiple servers to find one capable of accessing your favorite streaming platform. Our team were able to stream NHK, U-Next, TV Asahi, and many more with minimal fuss.

The crucial question is whether or not ExpressVPN is fast enough for streaming. We performed three tests throughout the day:

The results were encouraging. Overall, the provider averaged an impressive 164.6 Mbps. Speeds were a little variable, but in all cases, fast. Needless to say, ExpressVPN is quick enough for everything from gaming to live-streaming Japanese TV shows.

From a technical perspective, ExpressVPN has everything you’ll need to browse the internet anonymously. For starters, it uses uncrackable encryption, automatic obfuscation, DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, and a kill switch that stops sending data the moment your VPN connection drops. It also rolled out automatic ad, tracker, and malicious site blocking as part of its latest updates. Crucially, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any logs and has an extensive audit history.

To connect to ExpressVPN’s servers, simply download one of the apps. These are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. You also have the option of browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, as well as custom firmware for routers.

GREAT AT UNBLOCKING:ExpressVPN is fast and reliable, so streaming Japanese TV channels like NHK, Fuji TV, and Nippon TV won’t be an issue. Very easy to use, with strong security and 24/7 support. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish owns and operates 2,400 servers in 100 countries, including quite a few in Tokyo and Osaka. Not only that, but it’s also made huge progress in terms of streaming and now works with dozens of major platforms, including NHK, TBS TV, Netflix, and Hulu. This is one of the few providers with no connection limits, too, making it excellent value for families or people with lots of devices. 

So how reliable are IPVanish’s servers in Japan? Just like before, we ran three tests: one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the evening to measure its overall performance. Let’s take a look at those results:

This VPN delivered solid speeds overall, with an average of 164.13 Mbps. In real-world scenarios, this means you’re extremely unlikely to experience any performance issues when streaming Japanese TV. In fact, you’ll be able to download 1GB of data in under a minute, so it’s great for torrenting too.

IPVanish takes your security seriously, shielding user traffic from snoopers with a blend of 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and automatic tracker blocking. It also boasts an independently-verified no-logs policy, which should provide ample peace of mind. There’s more: the latest updates include iOS split tunneling support and a tool that checks the safety of links on mobile devices. While this is a very user-friendly service, it offers 24/7 support over live chat if you have any questions.

Sign up with IPVanish to access its apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on Linux and routers. The newly-introduced Advanced plan also includes 1TB of cloud storage and a sandboxed secure browser.

SECURE EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish works with Japanese TV channels such as TBS TV. Offers good speeds for streaming and lets you connect all of your devices simultaneously. User-friendly apps and 24/7 support. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is known for its user-friendly apps and expansive network. There are servers in 100+ countries (Japan included) and a handful of servers that are specifically optimized to help you access platforms like Netflix JP from abroad. Drawing from years of experience though, we can confirm that CyberGhost’s general-purpose servers are suitable for streaming as well.

To find out how fast CyberGhost’s servers in Japan were, we carried out several speed tests over the course of a day. Check out the results below:

CyberGhost delivered an average speed of 154.76 Mbps. This makes it more than capable of handling typical day-to-day tasks, from streaming 4K video to playing online games or downloading large files.

CyberGhost lets each user secure up to seven devices simultaneously. It has 24/7 live chat, and email support is available should you need it. Protecting your privacy is this VPN’s priority, as evidenced by its strict no-logs policy and use of 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also an automatic kill switch and protection from DNS leaks, while CyberGhost’s independently operated NoSpy servers reduce the risk of third-party interference.

Connect to a Japan server using CyberGhost’s Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV apps. You can also download browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Use with routers requires manual configuration.

HIGHLY SECURE:CyberGhost has over 11,500 servers worldwide, with plenty in Japan. Use it to stream Tokyo MX and NHK. Fast servers and unlimited bandwidth. Protects your privacy with a strict no-logs policy. Boasts a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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8. PureVPN

PureVPN is a versatile and cost-effective service that’s perfect for watching Japanese TV services while traveling. It has more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries and works with a wide range of streaming platforms. For instance, we were able to access Asahi, NHK, TV Tokyo, Tver, Netflix, and many more. Subscribers can connect 10 devices at once, and 24/7 support is available over live chat.

Historically, this service has performed quite well in our speed tests. However, regular retesting is necessary as providers frequently upgrade their networks or better-optimize their systems. Here are PureVPN’s latest test results:

PureVPN’s speeds ranged from 127.85 Mbps to 146.26 Mbps, with an overall average of 135.34 Mbps. This places it near the bottom of the pack, though it’s still fast enough for watching Japanese TV without any noticeable issues.

This VPN comes with a powerful set of security features. It shields your browsing habits using unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak prevention, and a proven zero-logs policy. Now, it doesn’t have quite as many advanced features as some of its rivals, but PureVPN does offer tracker-blocking, split tunneling, and automatic Wi-Fi protection. There’s also port forwarding, though this is an addon which costs extra.

PureVPN offers apps for iOS, Windows, MacOS, Android, and Linux (command line or GUI). Further, with a little manual configuration, it’ll work with most routers.

LOW COST:PureVPN is an affordable VPN that is perfect for accessing home services on vacation. Works with a ton of Japanese services and doesn’t compromise on security. Offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has approximately 200 servers in 63+ countries, which might not sound all that impressive. However, our team of experts has identified that it’s capable of accessing a huge range of geo-blocked sites, and it even works in countries with extreme online censorship. In other words, you’ll be able to stream Nippon TV on up to 10 devices simultaneously, wherever you are in the world.

PrivateVPN actually only has one Japanese server, in Tokyo. As such, it’s extremely important that it’s able to provide consistent performance since there are no others to rely on. We carried out three speed tests over the course of a day to check for ourselves. Here are the results:

The first thing you’ll notice is that PrivateVPN isn’t quite as quick as some of the providers above. In fact, its average speed was just 75.99 Mbps, which is less than half of the combined average of other services we tested. Still, we can confirm that it’s fast enough for almost any task, so whether you’re hoping to stream, make video calls, or just browse the web safely, PrivateVPN can handle it.

There’s also no need to worry about privacy. PrivateVPN has a strict no-logs policy and uses unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption to keep you safe. There’s also a customizable kill switch, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a toggleable stealth mode. You can even take advantage of port forwarding, which is great if you’re interested in torrenting. Want even more anonymity? You can always pay in Bitcoin.

PrivateVPN has iOS, MacOS, Android, and Windows apps. However, if you want to install it directly on Linux or your home router, you’ll have to manually configure it.

LOW-COST STREAMING:PrivateVPN has cheap subscriptions and works well with Japanese TV. Very user-friendly apps and also offers live chat support. Can be used on 10 devices at once. Security features include encryption and a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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Methodology: How we find the best VPNs for watching Japanese TV

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Finding the perfect VPN can be challenging, whether that’s for streaming your favorite anime or manga or simply accessing a blocked website. To find VPNs that provide a solid all-round service, we tested them in all of the following areas:

Speed

Japanese series and anime are best enjoyed without interruptions. We prioritize VPNs that offer fast and consistent speeds, ensuring viewers can watch their favorite shows in high definition without buffering or lag. To find out how fast each provider was, we conducted multiple speed tests while connected to their servers in Japan.

Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app, which was itself installed on a virtual machine that had been rate-limited to 250 Mbps. This figure was selected because it’s the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US. This helps us replicate the average user’s real-world experience.

You can see each provider’s average overall speed in the table below.

The fastest provider was Surfshark, though NordVPN wasn’t far behind. If you’re worried about a VPN slowing your connection down, these providers have the least impact.

Streaming ability

We tested VPN providers’ ability to stream Japanese TV as well as their ability to access Japanese (and other countries’) content libraries when using platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. We converted the results to a score out of 10 to make it easier to compare providers.

The first thing we’ll note is that all of the providers we tested worked with the Japanese TV platforms. The differences arose in their compatibility with international platforms. If you want the greatest choice of content, then go for NordVPN, but Surfshark, Total VPN, ProtonVPN, and ExpressVPN are all excellent alternatives for popular platforms.

Value for money 

Streaming Japanese TV from abroad shouldn’t cost a fortune. This is why we check all of our recommended VPNs for value, including subscription costs, free trials, and money-back guarantees. You can see how they performed against each metric 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 directly compare providers.

As you can see from the above, Total VPN was the best value-for-money provider overall. Its one-year plans cost the equivalent of $1.59 a month and come with free ad-blocking and antivirus software. Surfshark is a great alternative, with unlimited device connections and discounted two-year plans.

Security and privacy

Watching Japanese TV might raise copyright concerns. As such, we evaluate the VPN’s security features, ensuring they offer robust encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and additional features like a kill switch so you can ensure online privacy. You can see how the VPNs performed against each criteria in the table below. 

Each criteria was assigned a score, which we combined to give an overall score out of 10 for comparison.

NordVPN and Surfshark were the most secure providers overall. They both offer strong encryption, an ongoing commitment to privacy, and powerful obfuscation. ProtonVPN is an excellent alternative.

Ease of use

A VPN should be user-friendly, especially for those unfamiliar with such technology. We test the VPN apps for ease of use, ensuring that connecting to a Japanese server and starting a streaming session is straightforward and hassle-free. You can see which metrics we use for testing 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.

NordVPN and ProtonVPN were the easiest-to-use providers overall. They offer a smooth sign-up and cancellation service and well-designed apps that can be navigated intuitively. Total VPN also performed well, and is a good option for those new to VPN software.
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Using a free VPN to watch Japanese TV abroad

While it is possible to stream Japanese TV abroad with a free VPN, it’s certainly more challenging. For starters, most free VPNs simply don’t offer servers in Japan. Those free VPNs that do offer servers in Japan tend to have too many users, resulting in heavy server load and slow speeds.

Another difficulty you may experience with a free VPN is unblocking geo-restricted content. Free VPNs struggle in this respect and may not work with Japanese TV, such as TV Tokyo, or US streaming services, such as Netflix. The average free VPN also lacks features, be it live chat support or the option to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

Last but not least, we don’t recommend free VPNs due to their lack of security. Many lack the most essential security features, such as encryption and a kill switch. Worse still, some free VPN services spam you with ads or even log your data and sell it to third parties. All in all, free VPNs are extremely limited and may even compromise your privacy, we recommend avoiding the risk and opting for a quality, paid VPN instead.

Watching Japanese TV with a VPN: FAQs