About NHK - a public service media organization

What is NHK?

NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japan’s sole public service media organization. Funded by receiving fees from Japanese households, it has a reputation for impartial, high-quality programs including news, documentaries, children’s and educational programs, music, entertainment, culture, animation, and drama.(Quoted from NHK official website: https://www.nhk.or.jp/corporateinfo/corporate_overview/)

Also, NHK provides vital information when earthquakes, torrential rains, flooding and other disasters strike.(Quoted from "What is NHK?" flyer)

The "receiving contract" is a legal obligation

Every person living in Japan, including foreign nationals, who possess a television set that can receive NHK's broadcasts, or who starts receiving NHK's streaming and other distribution services, is required by law to enter into a receiving contract with NHK.

"Article 64 of the Broadcasting Act"

Persons who have installed any of the following reception equipment capable of receiving NHK broadcasts must conclude a receiving contract with NHK pursuant to the approved contract terms:

1 Persons who have installed specified reception equipment.

2 Persons who have started receiving NHK's mandated online services

(the rest omitted)

^{*Specified reception equipment refers to any device capable of receiving NHK's TV broadcasts.}

Contract types and fees

_{*the above fees are special rates for Okinawa}

For more details, please visit NHK Receiving Fee System website

If you have any questions regarding the contract, please contact NHK Okinawa broadcasting station at 098-862-5151 (and ask for an English speaker)

FAQ

• I do not know which one of the contract types I am supposed to conclude. Do I need to conclude a contract for terrestrial or satellite?
  >> If a parabolic antenna (a dish-shaped antenna) is installed at your house/apartment complex, you need to go for a satellite contract.
   
• How can I conclude a contract?
  >> 1) You can do it online by accessing this website (Top page is Google-translated, but application page is only available in Japanese)
  >> 2) You can follow this example:
  *If you have any questions on anything on the form, please contact NHK at 098-862-5151 (ask for an English speaker when necessary)

• I have three TV's at home. Do I need to conclude three contracts?
  >> Even if the household (family) has several TV's, one contract per household (family) is sufficient.
   
• I share a room with my roommates (we are not a family). Do we only need one contract for the room, or do we need a contract per family?
  >> If each of you have a receiving equipment for NHK broadcasts, each household (family) needs to conclude a contract.
   
• I share one TV with my roommates. Who needs to conclude a contract?
  >> You can select a representative for the contract and the representative can conclude a contract in their name. You can also discuss your roommates how you share the contract fee.
   
• Will I get a student discount?
  >>There are certain criteria for getting a student discount. Please check NHK website for further information. If you still are uncertain, please enquire NHK at 098-862-5151 (ask for an English speaker when necessary)
   
• Which one of the contract types should I choose?
  >> Check if your television set can receive "BS broadcasts" by selecting BS channels on your television set. If it receives the broadcasts, select "Satellite" type. If you are unsure about how to check BS broadcasts, etc., please contact NHK at 098-862-5151 (ask for an English speaker when necessary)

For any other queries, please call NHK at 098-862-5151 (ask for an English speaker when necessary)

RC NHK application example