Are any websites blocked in Japan?

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Generally speaking β€” Japan does NOT block websites like some other countries do. It has a free and open internet, with very few government restrictions.

πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ So, what’s accessible?

βœ… You can use:

  • Google, YouTube, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, TikTok, Facebook, etc.
  • News sites, messaging apps, and streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)

🚫 Anything blocked or limited?

There are very few exceptions, mostly related to legal or copyright issues:

  1. Piracy/Illegal Content Sites
    • Japan has cracked down on sites offering pirated manga, anime, and software.
    • Some high-profile piracy sites (like Mangamura) were blocked.
    • Torrent sites may also be throttled or restricted by ISPs.
  2. Certain Adult or Obscene Content
    • Some explicit content (especially involving non-consensual themes or minors) is heavily regulated or blocked under Japan’s obscenity laws.
  3. Geo-locked content
    • Some global services (like Hulu US, HBO Max, etc.) won’t work without a VPN.
    • Similarly, some Japan-specific services might be unavailable outside Japan.

🧠 TL;DR:

  • No government censorship like in China or North Korea
  • Normal websites are totally fine
  • Some anti-piracy and obscenity-based restrictions exist
  • Use a VPN only if you want to access region-locked stuff
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