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Japan · Leisure, Entertainment & MediaABEMA
Free-to-watch Japanese internet TV with live channels, anime, reality shows and originals - plus an optional premium plan.
What it helps with
- Free Japanese TV onlineABEMA streams news, anime, sports and variety channels live for free, without a TV.
- Live sportsSelected football, mahjong, shogi and combat sports events are streamed live.
- Catching up on missed episodesRecent episodes can be watched on demand for a limited time.
About ABEMA
ABEMA is an internet TV and streaming service set up jointly by CyberAgent and TV Asahi. It streams news, anime, variety and reality shows, sports and original programs around the clock, and a large part of the lineup is free to watch with ads.
Key Features
- Live Channels: Dedicated channels for news, anime, variety, sports and more, running all day.
- Free With Ads: Many programs can be watched at no cost, supported by advertising.
- ABEMA Premium: An optional paid plan that unlocks additional programs and features.
- Originals and Sports: Original dramas, dating-reality shows and live sports events.
How to Get Started
- Open the ABEMA app or abema.tv - many free programs can be watched without registering.
- Sign up with an email address or social account if you want favorites and viewing history.
- Pick a live channel or choose a program from the catch-up list.
- Consider Premium if you want access to more programs.
Before you use it
- Limits: Most content is available only from Japan.
- Good to know: The service is in Japanese; anime and news are the most useful for language practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Does ABEMA work with a foreign bank card in Japan?
- Not reliably - a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
- Is ABEMA available in English?
- Not officially - the interface is mainly in the local language.
- Do I need a local phone number to use ABEMA?
- No, an international phone number generally works for ABEMA.
- Do I need local ID or residency for ABEMA?
- No, ABEMA doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.
- Where can I use ABEMA?
- iOS · Android · Web
- How much does ABEMA cost?
- Free channels with ads; ABEMA Premium subscription for ad-free and full catalogue
