Should You Pay NHK License Fees Without a TV? — A Thorough Explanation of the Changing Boundaries of "Reception Contracts" with the Launch of "NHK ONE" in October 2025

Should You Pay NHK License Fees Without a TV? — A Thorough Explanation of the Changing Boundaries of "Reception Contracts" with the Launch of "NHK ONE" in October 2025

2025年07月09日 13:45

1 Basic Knowledge of NHK Reception Fees

1.1 What is a Reception Contract?

Article 64 of the Broadcast Law¹ obligates those who have installed equipment capable of receiving NHK broadcasts to enter into a reception contract. Equipment includes not only television receivers but also tuner-equipped devices such as One-Seg mobile phones and car navigation systems. The Supreme Court ruling on March 13, 2019 (One-Seg mobile phone lawsuit)² determined that even just the One-Seg function incurs a contractual obligation, prioritizing public interest over the principle of freedom of contract.


1.2 Current Fees (as of July 2025)

CategoryMonthly FeeExample Payment Methods
Terrestrial Contract1,100 yenCredit card, bank transfer, etc.
Satellite Contract1,950 yenSame as above
Internet Viewing Only (Newly Established)1,100 yenCredit card, PayPay, etc. planned

(After the October revision, the internet-only contract will be the same amount as the terrestrial contract)mainichi.jp



2 What Will Change with the Launch of "NHK ONE" in October 2025?

2.1 Internet Streaming Becomes a "Mandatory Service"

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and NHK, with the 2024 amendment to the Broadcast Law, positioned simultaneous internet streaming as a "mandatory service" equivalent to broadcasting³. "NHK ONE," released on October 1, will integrate NHK Plus and others, offering simultaneous streaming, catch-up streaming, and news videos as a one-package service. Use requires a household-shared "NHK ONE account" + linkage with reception contract information.


2.2 Three Patterns Where Contractual Obligation Arises

  1. Households that have installed receivers such as televisions or BS antennas

  2. Households owning One-Seg equipped smartphones or car navigation systems(Confirmed by precedent)

  3. **Households that log in to NHK ONE and watch programs (applicable even without a TV)**⁵


2.3 Cases Where Payment is Not Required

  • Not installing a TV or One-Seg device and not accessing NHK ONE

  • Only using NHK On-Demand's free text news or the radio app "Rajiru★Rajiru" (services without video are excluded)⁶

  • Temporarily watching a hotel TV during business trips or travel (the contract holder is the hotel)



3 Actual Billing and Collection Flow

3.1 Initial Contract

Application is made online or through a visiting representative when purchasing a TV or first using NHK ONE. The internet-only contract requires a prepayment of 6,309 yen for 6 months⁵.


3.2 Response to Uncontracted or Delinquent Payments

With the "surcharge system" introduced in 2023, if non-payment is confirmed, an additional charge equivalent to twice the reception fee is imposed⁷. Between 2024 and 2025, NHK will make its first lawsuit with a surcharge, and forced execution was recognized⁸.



4 Visitor Q&A ─ Common Troubles and Solutions

QuestionBest Practice
"Did you buy a TV?"Tell the truth and have them record the purchase date and model number.
"You have a smartphone, right?"Present a specification sheet showing it does not have One-Seg.
"Do you watch online?"Answer based on whether NHK ONE is used. No obligation if not used.
Pressed to sign a contractRequest ID presentation, take a photo, and keep a copy.



5 Points for Foreigners

  • Contractual obligation is irrespective of nationality: Even students and expatriates are obligated to pay if they install applicable devices.

  • English guidance page available (NHK site/GaijinPot explanation)⁹.

  • Contract and cancellation calls can be made through an English-speaking service (NHK Call Center 357).

  • Compared to the UK's TV license (£169.50/year) or Germany's Rundfunkbeitrag (€18.36/month), Japan's terrestrial contract is inexpensive, but because it is charged per household, cost adjustments are necessary in shared houses.



6 Clarifying Common Misunderstandings

MisunderstandingReality?Basis
Watching TV via Wi-Fi is freeConsidered as installing a receiver. Contract requiredBroadcast Law Article 64¹
No need if using a tuner-less TV that doesn't show NHKDoes not fall under the exception, contract requiredDistrict Court Precedent 2020⁴
No payment needed within 14 days after movingAddress change procedure required promptlyNHK Contract Terms
Can cancel if family doesn't watch during overseas assignmentPossible if the receiver is removed. Proof of removal requiredNHK FAQ



7 Future Prospects

  • Pressure to Reduce Reception Fees: Despite the monthly fee reduction in 2023, deficits continue, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications plans to request an additional reduction in fiscal year 2026⁷.

  • Discussion on a "Unified Fee" Concept Adapted to a Constantly Connected Society is ongoing (Interim report by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications expert panel, May 2025).

  • Redefining the Role of Public Broadcasting: Strengthening international dissemination of news and educational content as a fact-checking hub in the era of generative AI is a challenge.



8 Summary

  • Even without a TV, watching NHK ONE incurs a contractual obligation

  • No need to pay if not watching or without a receiver

  • Contract eligibility is determined by "equipment installation" + "viewing fact"

  • Watching without a contract risks a surcharge

  • From October 2025 onwards, discussions on the funding of public broadcasting in the internet era will intensify



List of Reference Articles (External Links, in Date Order)

  • Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Broadcast Law (Reiwa 4 Revised Text)" (2024-12-13)japaneselawtranslation.go.jp

  • Mainichi English "NHK to align streaming charges with terrestrial TV fees" (2024-10-10)mainichi.jp

  • ITmedia Mobile "New Internet Streaming 'NHK ONE' Starts in October" (2025-06-19)itmedia.co.jp

  • PR TIMES "How to Use NHK Internet Services After October" (2025-06-24)prtimes.jp

  • sumaholife PLUS "Are Households Without TVs Also Subject to Reception Fees?" (2025-07-02)sumaholife-plus.jp

  • Thomson Reuters Column "Do One-Seg Functions on Mobile Phones and Car Navigation Lead to NHK Reception Contracts?" (2019-10-21)thomsonreuters.co.jp

  • Corporate-Legal.jp "NHK's First Lawsuit with Surcharge, Future of Amended Broadcast Law" (2023-11-08)corporate-legal.jp

  • The Japan Times "NHK to be in the red for third straight year after fee cut" (2025-01-09)##HTML_TAG

← Back to Article List