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| Use Yandex to Access Blocked Japanese Videos and Websites, Here’s How. |
Indonesian netizens are buzzing about using Yandex, a Russian search engine, to open Japanese websites and videos that are blocked locally. This trend has gone viral since early September 2025, when users on social media reported that several Japanese entertainment sites and videos could no longer be accessed through Google Chrome or default browsers.
Yandex quickly became the go-to alternative because it allows users to bypass blocks without needing extra apps or VPNs.
Many tech forum users point out that Yandex is more “relaxed” in filtering content. For example, when Google shows an error message or refuses to load a site, Yandex often still provides working search results. Some even claim that Yandex’s image and video search results are more complete compared to Google.
According to cybersecurity expert Donny B.U. from ICT Watch, the trend of people finding alternative routes to access blocked websites is nothing new. “For years, the public has used proxies, VPNs, or alternative DNS services.
Now, Yandex is seen as a new option because it feels simple and fast,” he explained. However, he also reminded that accessing blocked content may violate Indonesian regulations.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) emphasized that site blocking is carried out to protect citizens from harmful or illegal content.
“We encourage the public to use the internet responsibly. If a website is blocked, it usually relates to regulations and consumer protection,” said a Kominfo spokesperson in an official statement.
The rising use of Yandex highlights a loophole in site-blocking policies. On one hand, the public demands freedom to access information, while on the other hand, the government insists restrictions are necessary to maintain digital order.
For now, it’s unclear whether Kominfo will tighten monitoring of search engines like Yandex or find a middle ground to balance regulation with public access needs.