Is pornography legal in Japan?

Restricted

Pornography showing sexual genitals is illegal, but blurred content is legal in Japan.

Japan is one of 5 countries classified “Restricted” for pornography — 7% of the 71 with data.

Source

Taken from
Wikipedia: Pornography laws by region
Last checked
7 July 2026
How it was classified
Classified by a language model from the source text, then checked against hand-verified reference countries.

Nearby countries

South Korea
Illegal Distribution and manufacture of obscene pictures is illegal in South Korea with imprisonment and fines.
North Korea
Illegal Import, distribution and possession of decadent culture including pornography is illegal in North Korea.
Philippines
Illegal Maintaining or hiring someone for prostitution or pornography is unlawful under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
China
Illegal Production, trafficking and dissemination of pornographic materials is severely punished under Chinese law.
Mongolia
Illegal Advertising and dissemination of pornography is punishable by fine or imprisonment in Mongolia.
Vietnam
Illegal Distribution of pornographic materials is punishable by fines or imprisonment.

Other laws in Japan

Same-Sex Marriage
Not recognized
Same-Sex Activity
Legal
Age of Consent
16–17
Sex Work
Decriminalized / unregulated
Divorce
Legal
Non-Binary Recognition
Not recognized
Same-Sex Adoption
Limited (step-child / single)
Incest Laws
Legal between adults
Marriage Age
18+

Every law in Japan → · Where is pornography legal? →

A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.