Japanese journalist Shiori Itō’s harrowing film "Black Box Diaries" is first person journalism at its very best. It details her alleged 2015 sexual assault by prominent media executive Noriyuki Yamaguchi – a close associate of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - and is credited with kick-starting the #MeToo movement in her home country.
Here's how to watch "Black Box Diaries" online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for FREE.
"Black Box Diaries" is available to watch now FOR FREE on BBC iPlayer.
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• U.S. — Paramount Plus
• Canada — Paramount Plus/Apple TV/MUBI/Roku.
• Australia/NZ — Docplay
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
Itō went public in 2017 with her memoir "Black Box" and an investigation into her own sexual assault followed by an attempt to prosecute the high-profile offender. It would become a landmark case that exposed Japan's (where the legal age of consent was 13 - raised to 16 in 2023) legal system as archaic compared to the modern judicial and societal standards demanded in the 21st century.
The film includes traumatic video diary entries entrusted to Itō's phone, courtroom footage, hidden and damning recordings highlighting police inaction and incompetence and shaky handheld and fast cut shots that give the documentary the feeling of a thriller – which, as it involves scandal, conspiracy and a very real threat to life, it actually is, but with the vital caveat that this belongs to the realm of non-fiction.
It faces tough competition from "No Other Land," but "Black Box Diaries" is in with a shout of winning Best Doc at the Oscars 2025 on Sunday. So read on to find out how to watch "Black Box Diaries" online, on TV and from anywhere.
How to watch 'Black Box Diaries' FOR FREE in the U.K.
How to watch 'Black Box Diaries' from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), you can watch "Black Box Diaries" on your home streaming services even if you're abroad. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer or a streaming service listen below and watch "Black Box Diaries" online and on-demand.
How to watch 'Black Box Diaries' in the U.S.
"Black Box Diaries" is available to stream on Paramount Plus in the U.S.
Plans start at $7.99/month or $59.99 for a year, going up to get rid of the ads.
However, if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation you can still catch the show for free by using a VPN such as NordVPN, choosing U.K. from the list and selecting BBC iPlayer.
How to watch 'Black Box Diaries' in the U.K.
"Black Box Diaries" is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. You'll need a valid TV license, naturally.
If you're not currently in the U.K., you can still catch the show by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
How to watch 'Black Box Diaries' in Canada
"Black Box Diaries" is available to stream in Canada on Hollywood Suite via Prime Video.
The Hollywood Suite channel costs $4.99/month after a 7-day free trial, on top of your Amazon Prime membership, which also has a 30-day free trial.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation you can still catch the show for free on iPlayer by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
How to watch 'Black Box Diaries' in Australia
"Black Box Diaries" will be available to stream in Australia (and New Zealand) on Docplay from Monday, February 24.
However, if you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under and you want to catch the film earlier you can do so by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Black Box Diaries' online in Japan?
No, the film is not available in Japan. But anyone traveling in Japan can get a VPN and watch it on their usual platform. We recommend NordVPN.
'Black Box Diaries' trailer
'Black Box Diaries' - FAQ
What other documentaries have been nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Oscars?
"No Other Land" - Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham
"Porcelain War" - Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev, Aniela Sidorska and Paula DuPre’ Pesmen
"Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat" - Johan Grimonprez, Daan Milius and Rémi Grellety
"Sugarcane" - Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie and Kellen Quinn
Has "Black Box Diaries" won any other awards?
CPH:DOX - Human Rights Award
San Francisco International Film Festival - Special Jury Award
Seattle International Film Festival - Lena Sharpe Award for Persistance of Vision
Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival- Inspiring Voices and Perspectives Award
Zurich Film Festival - Best International Documentary Film
National Board of Review - Top 5 Documentaries
International Documentary Association Awards - Emerging Filmmaker Award (Shiori Itō)
Cinema Eye Honors - The Unforgettables (Shiori Itō)
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Lots – including "Strike: Ink Black Heart", "Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special", "Call The Midwife", "Doctor Who: Joy to the World", "Strictly Come Dancing", "Outnumbered" and plenty more.
More from Tom's Guide
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
