Japan May be Safe to Visit, but How Safe is its Internet?

A VPN is an easy and safe solution if you require a Japanese IP address. This is valid whether you're visiting the nation or trying to use geo-restricted Japanese services from another country. Such websites as J:COM TV, GYAO!, and others are only accessible in Japan if you have the appropriate Japanese IP address.

The same holds for other nations, including the US and the UK, regarding apps, services, and streaming services. By hiding your IP address, a VPN can obfuscate it while encrypting all communication to and from your device.

Read: What is a VPN and 6 Reasons You Should Use One

A VPN will also safeguard your online identity and critical data. Your data will be encrypted, making it unintelligible to anyone looking in (including ISPs or hackers), and you can browse, play games, and conduct essential transactions using a Japanese IP address without anyone noticing.

You will be given An IP address corresponding to the VPN server you selected. Moreover, this scenario requires a provider with a significant presence in Japan. Let's take a closer look at using a VPN in Japan.

Why would you need a VPN in Japan?

You may have questioned whether you require a Japan VPN for your online activity if you now reside or are only traveling there.

With little to no filtering and a high index score of 77, according to the Freedom on the Net annual report 2022, Japan offers its citizens one of the freest internet experiences in the world.

Read: The Secret to Secure Software Development

One of the lowest VPN usage rates in the world is in Japan, and this low adoption rate's cause could have anything to do with cultural factors. Japan's highly developed technology infrastructure is mainly responsible for its people's strong sense of privacy and personal security.

Furthermore, compared to other nations, Japan has stricter internet usage laws. Due to these circumstances, Japanese citizens may assume their internet connections are secure and private by default.

Sadly, the country is seeing an increase in cybercrime. In the first half of 2022, the number of attacks involving unauthorized access has increased. According to the data, the lack of comprehensive and effective cyber defense capabilities is the main factor driving increased criminal activity against Japan.

How a VPN can sweeten your online experience

There are countless ways in which a VPN can improve your online experience. Many VPN users connect to Japanese servers to access the Internet more freely or to get around geo-restrictions and enjoy Japanese TV. This does not imply, however, that utilizing a VPN in Japan would be useless, as this technology offers many other functions in addition to circumventing geo-blocks.

Read: Mastering Google Bard Access

It will prevent throttling and safeguard your personal data when using free Wi-Fi. With that stated, you must also consider whether using a VPN in Japan is permitted, considering the various laws regarding VPNs worldwide.

In addition, with cybercrime on the rise in Japan, using public Wi-Fi without a secure connection may pose a threat to your online safety. While using public Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet is free and handy, it is also risky.

Read: IoT Security Threats and Solutions

Cybercriminals frequently target public networks in cafes, airports, and hotels. These networks have flaws that hackers can use to steal your data, access confidential information, and breach your accounts. When utilizing public Wi-Fi, it's critical to be aware of these risks and take the appropriate precautions to keep yourself safe.

Is using a VPN in Japan legal?

Yes, it is legal to use a VPN in Japan. There are no regulations explicitly prohibiting the use of VPNs in Japan. However, like in many other nations, using a VPN for specific purposes, like torrenting, is severely forbidden. If you download copyrighted content in Japan, you might be hit with a fine of up to 10 million yen and up to 2 years in jail.

Read: The top Stremio addons and VPN tips

In general, utilizing a VPN in Japan is only likely to result in difficulties if the conduct is judged unlawful in Japan. Simply connecting to a VPN won't result in a penalty.

Privacy concerns in Japan

Even if we state Japan's respectable track record for online freedom and privacy, current developments in this area have the potential to be concerning.

The Five Eyes Surveillance Alliance, a contract known for snooping on citizens' online activities, has Japan as a verified collaborator. Therefore, using a VPN in Japan can be a safe assurance if you don't like having your data potentially monitored by governments.

Read: Free Privacy Tools vs Paid Privacy Tools

The NOTICE program was another action the Japanese government took in recent years. More than 200 million IoT devices were attempted to be hacked in advance of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

These incidents demonstrate how the Japanese government is moving in a more restrictive direction on online freedom.

The bottom line

While Japan is a relatively safe country in most aspects, there are online dangers, no matter where we are. Even if you simply want to access Japanese entertainment with a Japan IP, a VPN offers peace of mind for better browsing security.