The Receiving Fee System
NHK is funded by the receiving fees. They make up about 96% of the corporation’s total income.
The receiving fee system ensures NHK’s financial independence, which guarantees NHK’s editorial independence and impartiality.
NHK’s mission as a public service media organization is to deliver impartial, high-quality programs. Programs should never be influenced by the government or private organizations. NHK considers it to be its responsibility to provide a wide range of programs that are balanced, without the influence of ratings or third-party interests.
NHK was established under the law as the Japanese public broadcaster. Every household and business having a TV set or any other reception device capable of receiving NHK’s domestic broadcasts or online services are required to make a contract with NHK and pay the receiving fee, regardless of nationality.
We do not ask to pay for access to specific programs, but rather to support the operations of NHK as a whole.
The Broadcasting Act stipulates that every household and business having a reception device or receiving NHK's domestic online service is required to make a receiving contract.
In what case is a receiving contract required?
Anyone who has installed a device capable of receiving NHK’s domestic broadcasts, such as a television, or start receiving NHK's domestic online service called NHK ONE (excluding radio-related services) is required to pay the receiving fee by entering into a contract with NHK.
Devices capable of receiving NHK’s domestic broadcasts
-
TV
-
PC with a TV tuner
-
Smartphone with One Seg function, and the like
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Car navigation system with a TV tuner
In the case in which only a radio is installed, a receiving contract is not required.
NHK's domestic online service called NHK ONE
Website
Apps
If your household already has a receiving contract, no separate contract or additional fee is required.
(A receiving contract is not required for radio-related services such as RADIRU★RADIRU.)
Before you start using the service by accessing the above website or any of the apps, you must complete a required step to confirm that a receiving contract is necessary.
(Ownership of a smartphone or PC alone does not require a receiving contract.)
For details on NHK ONE (NHK streaming service)
NHK WORLD-JAPAN does not require a receiving contract.
What types of receiving contracts are required?
There are two kinds of receiving contracts.
- The Terrestrial Contract(terrestrial broadcasts・internet)
- The Satellite Contract(satellite + terrestrial broadcasts・internet)*
A terrestrial contract is required if your television set can only receive terrestrial broadcasts or if you start using NHK's domestic online service.
A satellite contract is required if your television can receive satellite broadcasts.
*Those who have a TV set or any other device capable of receiving satellite broadcasts are required to make a satellite contract, even if they have started receiving NHK's domestic online service.
How much is the receiving fee?
| Type of contract | Fee per month | Pay every 2 months | Pay every 6 months | Pay every 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrial Contract（terrestrial・internet） | ￥ | ￥ | ￥ | ￥ |
| Satellite Contract（satellite+ terrestrial・internet） | ￥ | ￥ | ￥ | ￥ |
※Consumption tax included
※Different rates apply in Okinawa
※Even if you do not have a TV set or similar devices, a terrestrial contract is required if you start using NHK's domestic online service.
Payment can be made at intervals of 2, 6 or 12 months. Discounts apply to the 6 and 12 monthly payments.
How can I pay the receiving fee?
You can pay by:
- ・Credit card
- ・Bank transfer
- ・Payment slip
You can pay by credit card or directly from your Japanese bank account. Alternatively, you can pay at banks, post offices or convenience stores by using the payment slips posted to your address.
※Available in Japanese only
※Available in Japanese only
How can I get a receiving contract form?
Please call the number below. NHK will send you a contract form by post. Fill in the form and post the completed form back to NHK.
If you move away from Japan or cease to own a relevant reception device, please be sure to contact NHK to cancel the contract.（The receiving fee will not be charged from the month after the contract has been cancelled.）
Receiving Contract
