Key Facts
• NHK established a new organization to address unpaid broadcast fees.
• Cases of unpaid fees have risen by 1 million over five years, reaching 1.74 million in 2024.
• The “Special Measures Center for Broadcast Fees” includes lawyers and sales staff.
• NHK plans 1,250 legal actions by March 2025, 10 times last year’s total.
• By 2026, over 2,000 legal actions are expected.
• NHK launched the “NHK ONE” internet service in October 2025.
• Users are prompted to register contract information on the website and app.
• Non-compliant users will see persistent messages covering one-third of their smartphone screens.
• NHK President Nobuo Inaba emphasized reducing unpaid fees and ensuring fairness.
• Fee reductions have impacted NHK’s revenue, prompting stronger collection efforts.
Summary
NHK has intensified efforts to address unpaid broadcast fees by creating a new organization, the “Special Measures Center for Broadcast Fees.” With unpaid cases rising to 1.74 million in 2024, NHK plans to take 1,250 legal actions by March 2025 and over 2,000 by 2026. The broadcaster also launched the “NHK ONE” internet service, requiring users to register contract information. Persistent messages will appear on non-compliant users’ smartphone screens. NHK President Nobuo Inaba stressed the importance of reducing unpaid fees to ensure fairness and stabilize revenue amid fee reductions.
