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Do you have to pay the NHK fee?

31 Comments
By Masayoshi Sakamoto

Many foreigners in Japan know the feeling: you’re enjoying a quiet evening at home when the doorbell rings. Curious, you answer it, only to be greeted by a serious-looking man with a clipboard, speaking rapid-fire Japanese. Caught off guard, you panic and blurt out, “Nihongo tabemasu!” (“I eat Japanese”) before quickly shutting the door. This awkward encounter with the infamous “NHK Guy” is a common introduction to Japan’s NHK reception fee — a system that leaves many of the country’s 3.41 million foreign residents puzzled. So, do you have to pay the NHK fee? What happens if you don’t?

This article unpacks everything you need to know based on relevant laws and official sources.

  1. What Are NHK Fees?
  2. Who Is ‘The NHK Guy?’
  3. Do Foreigners Have To Pay the NHK Fee?
  4. What Happens if You Don’t Pay?
  5. Who Is Exempt from the NHK Fee?
  6. Summary

What Are NHK Fees?

Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK), or Japan Broadcasting Corporation, is Japan’s public broadcasting network. Many countries have national broadcasters, such as the BBC in the UK, CBC in Canada, France Télévisions in France and CCTV in China. However, NHK operates differently — it is not technically a state-run broadcaster but an independent organization, free from direct government control.

NHK is primarily funded through reception fees. In fiscal year 2023, its total business revenue was ¥653.1 billion, of which ¥632.8 billion came from these fees.

Under Japanese law, specifically Article 64 of the Broadcasting Act, anyone who installs equipment capable of receiving NHK broadcasts — such as a television or antenna — is required to sign a reception contract and pay the corresponding fees. Foreign residents in Japan are also subject to this obligation, as the Broadcasting Act applies to everyone within the country.

The standard NHK reception fees are:

  • ¥2,200 every two months for terrestrial broadcasting only.
  • ¥3,900 every two months for both terrestrial and satellite.
  • NHK reception fees in Okinawa Prefecture are slightly reduced.

Who Is ‘The NHK Guy?’

pixta_84395642_M.jpg
Have you ever had an NHK guy appear at your doorstep?

n the past, NHK sent sales representatives to collect the reception fees. These agents would visit households and businesses that owned televisions to collect payments, encourage people to sign contracts and pursue overdue fees. However, their aggressive tactics and lack of consideration led to numerous complaints. Foreigners often joke about the “NHK Guy,” but the pushy tactics of these agents are equally notorious among Japanese citizens. Haruki Murakami highlighted this in his novel "1Q84," featuring a character who poses as an NHK fee collector, persistently knocking on a door and demanding payment.

The unpopular NHK fees and aggressive tactics eventually led to the formation of the NHK Party (now called The Collaborative Party). This group campaigned against mandatory NHK fees and became known for openly mocking the broadcaster during town hall meetings — directly on NHK’s own network.

In 2019, NHK spent ¥30.5 billion for these visits out of a total of ¥75.9 billion in sales expenses. As online contracts and payments became more common, NHK gradually reduced these home visits, outsourcing the work to external agencies. By the end of September 2023, NHK eliminated its home-visit sales activities. Still, reports suggest that around 550 agents are still out there, knocking on doors.

Click here to read more.

© GaijinPot

©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.

31 Comments
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Have to pay? No you don't. I've never paid and never will.

11 ( +20 / -9 )

NHK showing up to collect fees is the most persistent scam in Japan.

And their "fee collectors" are like cockroaches - annoying, hard to get rid of, and nobody wants them in their house.

Still, pay for a channel I never watch?ZERO chance. They can keep knocking, but my wallet stays closed.

11 ( +21 / -10 )

By law, payment is required, but there are no penalties if it is not paid. I haven't had a TV for more than twenty years.

18 ( +21 / -3 )

Definitely no and even more when you know how channel is controled by gvt

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26403639

5 ( +11 / -6 )

We haven't had a TV in the house for more than 20 years. An NHK guy did come to the house a few years ago, but we told him that we don't have a TV and he gave up.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

NHK is a state sponsored Mafia organisation under the good patronage of the corrupt and bought Japanese politicians.

Even if I no longer have a TV they still made me a contract, even if I didn't sign anything.

This is the most fraudulent and scammy organisation in the world, sponsored by a government.

-1 ( +13 / -14 )

The answer to that question is, no. You do not have to pay. You can be polite to the fee collectors, but the moment they start trying to con you, feel free to troll them.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Without clicking on gaijinport link I say NO.

I never paid for NHK.

When someone appears I say have no TV.Dont understand japanese a word.

They came a few times then gave up.

Question-why I have to pay for something I dont need?NHK should get fixed money from gov budget insteas.

Japan dont need to invent a wheel-just learn from others.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

I remember being visited by the NHK Guy many years ago. I had to prove that I didn't have a tv by inviting him in and had to show him my phone so that he could make sure that I could not watch tv on it. It was like a visit by the STASI.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I don't answer the door to anyone who comes knocking without an appointment.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Never paid those charlatans and never watched their rubbishy channel.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Ironically, and this is something really good NHK does, they have a news website with easy Japanese to read and understand. It comes with furigana on difficult kanji and each difficult word to understand you can click on it and it'll give you its definition in Japanese.

This is by far the most useful tool I've come across when studying Japanese in the many years I've studied the language.

Made by NHK and free to use. Such an irony.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Like others are saying, just don't answer the door if you don't recognise the face through the peep-hole.

There's no way I'd pay for the complete garbage NHK produce. In fact I'd willingly have it blocked from every device in my apartment if that were possible.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

We watch it some. Usually the evening news. I also use NHK World quite often, as @Garthgoyle mentions above.

They also have awesome coverage of the Summer and Winter Olympics every time they come around. Every event free or on demand with the English commentary track - although for Paris it was shared with TVer, which also showed free coverage.

I wouldn't have opened the door for the collector when he came around to our new house, but my better half had other ideas. And meh, it's about 1100 yen a month. Big deal.

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-2 ( +5 / -7 )

meh, it's about 1100 yen a month. Big deal.

Over 50 years that is 660,000 yen though. I would rather have a nice holiday!

9 ( +9 / -0 )

There's no way I'd pay for the complete garbage NHK produce. In fact I'd willingly have it blocked from every device in my apartment if that were possible

my feelings exactly

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Over 50 years that is 660,000 yen though. I would rather have a nice holiday!

Well yeah, it would be better if it were free. There's no arguing against that.

I'm just happy to say that, for me, it's not either or. I can pay the NHK fee and still afford nice holidays.

I'm just saying that because I use the service, I have no problem having to pay the fee. It's like Netflix. And there's just as much rubbish I don't want to watch on Netflix, believe me.

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2 ( +4 / -2 )

persistently knocking on a door and demanding payment.

Why don’t they just take it out of income tax instead of this archaic practice? Just tell payroll you own a TV or you do not. Surely there must be a more efficient way. A lot of people including me do not want to be disturbed by these door knocking people.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Once you sign the contract, they can force you to pay. So never sign it.

Just say you don't have a TV; you don't have to let them in to check.

They might ask what kind of phone you have, or car navigation system, which can receive TV signals.

So "no TV, no car navi, and only a land line phone. Good bye."

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The NHK guy that comes to the house is extremely annoying. For some reason they always come at the absolute worst times. Plus, there is no reason for it. Just have Japan roll it into a government fee. Even local areas could roll it into taxes.

At least they made it so you can pay online. NHK at least provides Sumo, NHK English education content, and end of the year concerts. NHK 4k actually has some interesting programming.

The system in place is garbage and unneccessary.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

One of the things they checked prior to finalizing my permanent residence visa was whether or not I’d paid my NHK fees.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

One of the things they checked prior to finalizing my permanent residence visa was whether or not I’d paid my NHK fees.

You personally, or the household?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

You personally

I'm sure via my foreign residence card's address. So, the household to which I'm personally registered.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

I'm sure via my foreign residence card's address. So, the household to which I'm personally registered

The household. Thanks for not being a dick about it.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The household. Thanks for not being a dick about it.

A tricky question as I'm personally registered to the household.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Geeter Mckluskie

One of the things they checked prior to finalizing my permanent residence visa was whether or not I’d paid my NHK fees.

Never happened with my PR.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I highly, highly, highly doubt they check if you’d paid NHK for getting PR. If they told you that, they were probably kidding.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Only pay per view system.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

And their "fee collectors" are like cockroaches - annoying, hard to get rid of, and nobody wants them in their house.

Yeah, they were phased out during Covid. You just get notice in your box demanding you pay now.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Never paid it, not one time in 25 years, and never will.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Never happened with my PR.

Not all PR interviews/background checks are alike

0 ( +2 / -2 )

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