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It’s the reason a majority of Japanese people refuse to answer their doors: the terrifying thought that on the other side is a person collecting subscription contractsfor the public channel NHK. Sure, it doesn’t sound so bad, but these outsourced mercs will stop at nothing to get you to sign on the dotted line regardless of whether or not you watch NHK or even own a television.
Like an army of soul-reaping wraiths, these heartless minions prowl the land with impunity. Also a recent Supreme Court ruling that anyone with a television is legally bound to pay the subscription fee has emboldened them even further.
Luckily there exists a talisman to protect yourself from those dark forces in these bleak times: Behold the Seal of Tachibana!
This sticker was created by Takashi Tachibana, leader of the Protect the Nation from NHK Party, a political party with the sole purpose of ending this reign of terror. Like a modern day folk hero, Tachibana has taken on the mission whole-heartedly for a number of years.
But this latest tool might have people wondering, “How’s a mere sticker going to repel these ruthless collectors?”
According to Tachibana, NHK collectors have been advised to not approach any home that has a sticker from his Protect the Nation from NHK Party because its inhabitants may be “problematic.” And so, if your house is identified as such, then the malevolent spirits of public access will simply pass over your home.
The sticker reads:
Protect the Nation from NHK Party – Takashi Tachibana
NHK Repelling Seal
Affix this sticker to the entrance of your home and NHK visits will completely stop. But in the case the visits continue please contact the number provided below and NHK will definitely be chased off.
Takashi Tachibana – 090-3350-0267
Judging by reader comments many people already have them, but some are concerned that it kind of makes them look like cheapskates.
“I got one from someone handing them out in the street.”
“It might help to just name drop Takashi Tachibana too. Say you know him if you’re cornered.”
“I already have one on my home.”
“I would get one but I’m afraid of what my neighbors might think.”
“It’s like sticking a yakuza symbol on your property.”
“Sure they’ve worked until now, but NHK has gotten a lot stronger recently.”
In theory it does makes sense. People opposed to NHK collectors enough to pledge their allegiance to the Protect the Nation from NHK Party are likely they argumentative types who will likely fight tooth and nail with the collector, eating up valuable time that could be spent knocking on doors of weaker prey. So in order to maintain peak efficiency it would be advisable to avoid such people.
On the other hand, much like insect repellent, the more these stickers are used, surely the more immune NHK will become to them. But at least for now it doesn’t hurt to try, and no payment is necessary: they’re a free public service of the Protect the Nation from NHK Party.
It’s worth a shot, and considering these NHK guys are sometimes up to more than just collecting fees, it could help keep you safe too.
To receive your NHK Repelling Sticker send a request along with your name and address to: tachibanakumi0112@hotmail.co.jp
Sources: Protect the Nation from NHK Party, Buzz Plus News, Itai News
Read more stories from SoraNews24.
-- NHK bill collector arrested for kissing woman on the job: “I thought we were hitting it off!”
-- Tokyo court rules that hotels must pay NHK fees according to the number of rooms with TVs
-- Japan’s public broadcaster goes thug-style, tags the house of man who refuses to pay fees
© SoraNews24
19 Comments
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maybeperhapsyes
If I put one of these stickers on my door...what's the NHK man likely to post through my letter box??
The mind boggles!
Wrembreck
I'm interested.
Bernie O'Mahony
First of all, I definitely don't try to annoy my neighbours but couldn't give a crap what they think about me. Pretty sure they judge me just for being a foreigner in the first place.
Secondly, if you'd rather pay thousands of yen to what is essentially a forced-upon-you service, instead of growing some kahunas and not worrying about how you 'look' to others, then you're just the type of people NHK love!
I don't have a TV in the house anymore - and only recently moved into my new place. Two days I was here and NHK came knocking. When I showed him I don't even own a TV, he tried to force the bill on me for "having a television on my keitai and in my car!" - Even after showing him that the TV function didn't work on my phone because it requires a special antenna, and that the TV in my car was the old analog version and thus doesn't work but with DVD's, he proceeded to ask if I use Netflix on my computer or iPad! No kidding, he was seriously trying to claim the NHK fee for using my Netflix account!!
After 20 minutes of putting up with his nonsense, I threatened to call the police if he didn't leave. Never seen or heard from him since!
stepoutsidethebox
Gaijin need not fear. Just speak English. The NHK guys can't speak a word. One day I felt a little bit of weakness for the guy so I used a little Japanese and just wanted him to go away so said "sure, whatever, I will pay you". He then hands me a form and says it all needs to be filled in Japanese. I laughed and said I can't write two pages of Kanji. It takes me 30 minutes just to copy my simple address in kanji and he is showing me literally two pages of info that needs to be filled out in Japanese. 15 minutes of using broken English and Japanese and phone dictionaries just to get to the to point where he hands me forms. I mean come on!? After that I swore when they come back I will just speak English and say "No Japanese, sorry" and close the door. Honestly if they just put the stupid tax in my paycheck I wouldn't even think twice about it. Who goes door to door in the 21st century? Only people you want to ignore!
inkochi
@stepoutsidethebox has a point:
Says enough about NHK itself.
Aly Rustom
Me too.
Or do what I did a while back:
Answered the door in my underwear with a pair of socks tucked in the front. I smiled at the NHK man with very wide eyes and said "dozo" beckoning him inside. When he refused I grabbed his hand and said dozo- irrashaimasse with a real foreign accent and laughed, pretending to pull him inside the apt. (It should be said that I lift weights, am 95kg, and extremely hairy)
The guy yanked his arm back and left. VERY quickly. NHK hasn't been back since.
katsu78
Come on tabloid article, this is a way juicier sounding story than some guy with free go-away stickers! Dish up!
Doesn't work in my part of Tokyo, unfortunately.
So did you have advance notice he was coming, or do you normally sit around in your underwear?
maybeperhapsyes
So did you have advance notice he was coming, or do you normally sit around in your underwear?
I had a good chuckle at that. Thanks...both of you.
Wrembreck
They can where I live unfortunately.
My husband does, I just thought that was a man thing.
Wakarimasen
Nihongo Dekimasen works every time
Jimizo
Had my fingers burned there. One NHK collector at my door was a crazy UK music fan and kept me at the door telling me about his twice a year visits to the UK to see his favourite bands. The conversation turned to a discussion about whether Nigel Blackwell or Morrissey was the better lyricist and he ended up inviting me to a Charlatans gig. He left empty-handed but seemingly pleased.
Never try the English line with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Dan Lewis
Who needs a sticker? Just tell them to bugger off. It's not rocket science.
Aly Rustom
I normally sit around in my underwear at home. Do you normally sit around at home in a suit and tie?
Rosalind Harris
Educator60,
Don't know how scientific this study is, but... https://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/05/12/almost-half-of-japanese-people-hide-when-their-doorbell-rings-but-why/
Bintaro
@Educator60
Just my own thoughts but...
Mowadays, people have internet, and phones.
When you order something on the internet, you get a delivery date, and can expect it will arrive early if you're lucky.
When a friend comes to your place, you certainly arranged it earlier, and he/she will certainly phone you or text you to say he/she is arriving.
So when someone rings at your door when you're not expecting anything, you can be 90% sure it will be an NHK guy, someone trying to sell you something else, or Jehova Witnesses.
So I think the statement is not entirely false.
pacint
NHK can track B-CAS cards, and also likes to send collectors to new buildings/residences.
This type of topic reminds me of an old song: Men at Work - Who can it be now?
Agree with other posters Jehovah Witnesses are a bigger pain, usually 2-3 ladies and they carry a book with translations and into most languages.
Nessie
NHK: Do you have a TV?
Me: No. Have you tried Yodobashi?