
You’d be hard pressed to find a single person who enjoys a visit from the NHK fee collector. If you’ve experienced this yourself or read horror stories on the internet, know that there are easy ways to avoid paying and even cancel your current contract! If you want to know how to duck and dodge NHK like a pro, keep reading.
Updated: September 10th, 2020
- Why does Japan say I have to pay for NHK?
- How much are NHK fees?
- Is it illegal to refuse to pay NHK? Will I get in trouble?
- How to avoid paying NHK fees
- How to get out of your NHK contract
Why does Japan say I have to pay for NHK?
NHK (Nihon Housou Kyoukai), Japan Broadcasting Association, is Japanâs national public broadcasting organization that covers TV and radio. For a lot of people, NHK is a popular source for entertainment and news; if you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you’re not one of those people.
Many of Japanâs oldest and most famous television traditions are created and broadcast by NHK. These programs (excluding international broadcasts) are funded by mandatory TV licensing fees that each household in Japan must pay. To collect these fees, NHK agents go door to door to make sure that everyone is contributing. If you’ve never paid NHK, a collector will graciously help you set up payment, even if your TV can’t receive NHK broadcasts.
Disclaimer:Â It’s important to mention that if you do actually watch or listen to NHK and benefit from their programming, we recommend doing the right thing and paying the fees.
How much are NHK subscription fees?
There are three levels of fees depending on your televisionâs ability to receive broadcasts. (Prices are correct at time of publication and apply to all residents of Japan except Okinawa, who have to pay about double the amounts listed below.)
Basic Broadcast Fee (âChijou Keiyakuâ)
Televisions that can receive only basic ground cable broadcasting are charged the “basic broadcast” fee. This fee is „1,260 / month (credit card) or „1,310 / month (bank transfer). A fee reduction is applied for paying 6 months / one year up front.
Satellite Broadcast Fee (âEisei Keiyakuâ)
Televisions that can receive satellite services as well as regular broadcasts are charged the satellite broadcast fee. This fee is „2,230 / month (credit card) or „2,280 / month (bank transfer). A fee reduction is applied for paying 6 months / one year up front.
Special Contact Fee (âTokubetsu Keiyakuâ)
If Mt. Fuji is standing between your TV and NHK’s signal, there is also a “special contact” fee. For anyone who lives in an area where receiving capabilities are limited by “natural terrain,” the discounted fee is „985 / month (credit card) or „1,035 (bank transfer) / month.
Is it illegal to refuse to pay NHK? Will I get in trouble?
You can save over „25,000 each year by not paying NHK fees! But how do you keep that money in your pocket?
Recently, refusing to pay NHK fees has gotten a good deal of press (Japanese link) as several Japanese citizens were charged huge fines for ducking and dodging the NHK collector. This has made many people, especially foreigners, cautious about not paying their NHK subscription fees. However, there are several reasons why these types of penalties shouldn’t be a concern if you have the proper knowledge.
NHK Fee Laws
The Broadcast Act states that households with TVs must sign up for NHK services. However, there is a gray area in the language where they make special exceptions for âmonitors with built-in speakers,â like those used primarily for gaming or as extra computer screens. This distinguishes TV monitors from active TVs. While the law does state that people with TVs have to pay, by distinguishing your device as only a “monitor,” the NHK collector can’t make you pay the fee*.
Also, while there is a penalty or possible fine for refusing to pay after a contract is signed, you must be the one to sign the contract. If you do not sign the contract, there is no legal ground for fines or imprisonment as you’re not technically delinquent on any payments.
* Important: There are likely going to be upcoming changes to the law that may put smartphones and other devices under the umbrella of TVs. Currently, only â1segâ-capable phones are included under this fee requirement. (If you have a flip-phone or an Android model that can receive TV signals, NHK says you need to pay. If you have an iPhone, you don’t need to pay.)
NHK Fee Collector Tricks
Oftentimes, NHK collectors will try to convince you that there is a law legally binding you to sign the contract. Do not be fooled! If you don’t sign a contract, there is no way they can force you to pay the fee. Once you sign the contract though, you must pay or you could be subject to punishment under the law.
5 Strategies for avoiding the NHK fee collector
What are some ways to avoid paying the NHK fee? After combing through Japanese forums, we’ve compiled five strategies that have worked for residents of Japan.
Strategy #1: Tell the NHK collector you can’t even watch NHK
Explain that you don’t own a TV, 1seg-capable smartphone, or a car navigation system that can broadcast TV programming.
What to say: ăăŹăăżăăŸăă (terebi miremasen) = I canât watch TV.
Strategy #2: Donât let the NHK collector in
Agents are on a mission and can be aggressive. They will try to look inside your house to see if you have a TV in plain site. They also come with many strategies up their sleeves, like knocking at inopportune times, especially right after you’ve moved or late at night. This is so they can catch you when you’re not expecting them, or possibly feeling a bit scatterbrained or nervous.
Remember, they do not have the right to enter your property or search your home. Whatever you do, DONâT let them inside the house!
Strategy #3: Tell the NHK collector youâre a âfriendâ of the resident
If you happen to open your door to an NHK agent, pretend you’re a “visiting friend,” and can, therefore, make no financial decisions for the household.
What to say: ăăăăŻăšăă ăĄă§ă (watashi-wa tomodachi desu) = I am a friend.
Strategy #4: Pretend youâre not home
If you happen to live in a building with a front entrance buzzer or you can see the NHK collector through your front door peephole, it’s best to simply not answer.

Strategy #5: Play the “Dumb Foreigner” card
If you speak a foreign language other than English, try using it to convince the NHK collector that you don’t understand what they’re asking about. This can be an effective way of avoiding a conversation and make them leave quickly.
While talking to collectors in English used to be enough to scare them off, the influx of expats into metropolitan areas has caused NHK to hire English-speaking staff â even if the collector leaves the first time, they’re likely to come back with an English-speaking agent.
When none of these strategies work
If all else fails, continue to tell the collector that you have no legal obligation to pay, because you don’t have a TV. They may say that it doesn’t matter, but it does.
Bonus Tip: If you own a television, it’s best to keep it in a place where it can’t be seen from the front door.
How to get out of your NHK subscription contract
Finally, of course, if you’ve already signed up you can always cancel, though it may be difficult. You can cancel by calling or mailing in a cancellation form to NHK headquarters.Â
Step #1: Call NHK
Tell NHK that you no longer have any equipment to watch the broadcast, and ask them to send you a cancellation form called a kaiyaku tsĆ«chi naiyĆ shĆmei (æŸéć俥ć„çŽè§ŁçŽć±). You may be asked to submit proof that you no longer have a TV or any other equipment that can receive NHK broadcasting.
NHK Customer Service: 0120-151515 (9:00 â 20:00)
Step #2: Fill in the paper
If you have cleared the first step, NHK will send you a cancellation form. Fill it in with your information, and mail it back to them.Â
Step #3: Done!
If successful, NHK should:
- Stop deducting money from your account
- Stop sending you a monthly invoice for payment
Alternative: Mail-in Your Cancellation Form
You can also try canceling your NHK subscription by sending a cancellation notice called a kaiyaku tsĆ«chi (è§ŁçŽéç„) through the mail, along with a certification of contents. Try to look up Google for a template with the keyword “è§ŁçŽéç„ ć ćźč蚌æ NHK,” Kaiyaku tsĆ«chi naiyĆ shĆmei NHK.Â
Note: Although stopping the payment or blocking the transaction may be one way to stop NHK from getting your money, itâs best to go through the official cancellation procedure to ensure there are no unexpected issues later on.Â
If you’ve already signed up, you can always cancel, though it may be difficult. To cancel, you need to call and mail in a form to NHK headquarters.
Step #1: Call NHK
Tell them that you no longer have any equipment to watch NHK broadcasting, and ask them to send you a cancellation paper. You may be asked to submit proof that you no longer have a TV or any other equipment. How can you prove this? Based on our research, a receipt showing that you sold the TV, donated it, or hauled it to the dump is likely the only documents NHK will accept.
NHK Customer service: 0120-151515 (hours 9:00 â 20:00)
Step #2: Fill out the paperwork
If you have cleared the first step, NHK will send you a cancellation form. Fill out your information, and mail it back to them. Once you’ve dropped the envelope in the red postal box, you’re off the hook!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I cancel my NHK subscription if Iâm no longer living in Japan?
A. Since NHK doesnât provide an easy way to cancel your subscription online, itâs best to try the following:
- Ask a friend who lives in Japan to call on your behalf
- Buy a temporary Japanese phone number through Skype and contact NHK to cancel the contract
Be aware that NHK may ask you to provide documents proving that you no longer live in Japan.
Q. Is NHK’s customer service available in English?
A. Yes. You may call up NHK customer service and ask for English-speaking staff.
Q. Will an NHK agent come knocking on my door again after I cancel my subscription?
A. We havenât heard of cases where an NHK agent starts knocking on doors of people who canceled their subscriptions. However, there may be a chance that it could happen.
Q. Will an NHK agent come knocking on my door again after I change my address in Japan?
A. Unfortunately, yes. But you can use the tactics explained above. They will usually stop coming after a few tries.Â
Q. What should I do if I accidentally sign an NHK contract?
A. If you donât own a TV, you can call NHK and tell them it was a mistake and that you would like to cancel your contract.
Q. What should I do if I get rid of my TV?
A. You can call NHK and let them know. Itâs best to prepare some proof in case they ask.
Q. What can I do if I havenât been paying the NHK fee and I would like to cancel my contract?
A. Having an outstanding bill on your account doesnât affect the cancellation of the NHK contract. However, you still need to settle the unpaid bill, which you agreed upon when signing the contract.
The worst thing that can happen if you fail to settle an outstanding bill is NHK filing a lawsuit against you, which in most cases, you will likely lose. NHK keeps plenty of records to help them win lawsuits for unpaid bills.
Thatâs why the safest choice is to pay the bills to avoid unnecessary trouble if you plan to live in Japan for the foreseeable future.Â
Q. I’ve already signed a contract, but I didnât give NHK my bank account details. I usually pay from the convenience store. What would happen if I stop paying?
A. Legally, if you have signed a contract (whether it’s NHK or not), you need to pay. The difference in payment method does not change this requirement. It’s safest to go through the proper cancellation process explained above to end the contract.
Q. After sending the cancellation form to NHK, do I get confirmation that my request was successfully processed? Will NHK send me a cancellation notice?
A. NHK will not send you any notification, even if they proceed with your cancellation application. The only way to confirm cancellation is by checking your monthly bank statement or noticing that you no longer receive bills in the mail.
Don’t be threatened by NHK fees
Living in Tokyo can be expensive, but using these strategies can help lower your living costs. When the NHK collector comes knocking on your door, stay calm, stay collected, and don’t get talked into something you’re not required by law to do. If you’ve ever tried any of the strategies above or tried to cancel your contract, let us know how it went in the comments below. We’re all in this together!
I just wanted to ask if it is really true that if you have a television you are required by the japanese law to pay NHK fees, we live in seikatsu hogo for a while during that time NHK men keep coming to our apartment asking me to sign a contract and pay the NHK fee,I refused to sign but they keep coming back,after we found work and left seikatsu hogo they still keep coming back and forcing me to sign a contract and pay the NHK fee even if we do not watch NHK ,is there a way that… Read more »
I just recently bought a new house and I do not have an antenna (no local TV channels) but I own a TV only for internet (netflix, youtube, etc.). I know I can avoid paying NHK fees as mentioned in this article. But what I do want to know is if they have the legal right to charge me NHK fees even if I do not have an antenna?
Hello, James! Thank you for your comment.
*Please note that since we are now a lawyer so we can’t give a definitive answer or legal advice.
That being said, the law states that if you have an antenna and TV you must have an NHK contract, so our best guess is that no, they don’t have a legal ground to sign a contract with you. (If you already have a contract, then you have a legal obligation to pay though)
Hello,
I already left my old apartment but I forget to cancellation contract till now. And that time the person who came to my door he told me if you not watch the tv you don’t need to pay. But they send me bill .Can I need to pay all payment till now or only that much when i’m in that apartment because that time there was tv in my apartment when i moved there and that time i don’t know the Japanese also .
I left Japan and returned to Switzerland a while ago but forgot to cancel my NHK subscription. It was basically forced upon me by a friendly man showing up at my door one day and I made the mistake of giving them my credit card information.
I recently noticed that dreaded “NHK fee” is still very much showing up on my credit card bill.
I’m trying to give them a call to cancel the subscription but I can’t seem to reach their number from Europe. Any advice?
Hi Manuel! Thank you for reading the TSC article!
If you already have tried calling from Europe and couldn’t connect, I think the best course of action is enlisting help from a friend who lives in Japan… Since NHK doesn’t have an online form yet.
Hi!
Thanks for the reply. Iâm happy to report that I managed to cancel my NHK subscription. I ended up buying a (temporary) Japanese phone number through Skype which allowed me to give them a call and complete the cancellation process.
Great to hear that and thank you for letting us know, Manuel! Skype-made japan phone number! Great solution… I’ll update the article with that details, so that more people in the same situation can smoothly end the contract!
Hi Manuel, could you give more detail on what conversation you have with them for cancellation process?
Do they ask some proof that you are no longer in Japan?
It would be useful as references
Hello
It’s very nice to see that there are some Japanese out there looking our for us.
We were already “forced” to sign up to NHK after days/weeks/months of annoying ringing of door bell.
So my question is:
1) After we move to a different location and cancel at the same time. Would they come to our new location and annoy us again?
2) When we try to cancel, would ringing/knocking of door start again?
I lived in 4 different countries in my life.
Not once I had to pay so much for something I don’t even use/watch.
Thank you
Hello, Andre! Hiro from TSC here. Thank you for reading our articles!
I’m sorry to hear you had an unpleasant encounter… to answer your question #1: Unfortunately, yes. But you can use tactics explained in the article above. They usually stop coming after a few times!
Question #2: In my research, I have not heard of a story where staff started coming to your door after cancellation – it may happen, but the chance of that would be rare.
Hope you’re enjoying your time here! Let me know if you have any other questions.
I made the mistake of moving back to the states without really thinking about my NHK subscription. I contacted them once online for assistance canceling, and was told it wasn’t possible to cancel from outside of Japan. I cancelled the debit card I provided them with, twice now, yet I’m still being charged by them once every two months. This has been going on since 2016, and I’m still at a loss. Do you know if it’s truly impossible to cancel your NHK contract outside of Japan? It’s a hassle, but maybe I should just close my bank account altogether… Read more »
Hello, Vada, thank you for your comment and I am so sorry to hear your problem. Hmm, that is weird. Their official website clearly states that you can cancel contract if you’re moving outside japan. Stopping payment is one way, but it is not recommended to do so while you still have a contract. I think there are two ways you can approach this. 1. Enlist the help of a friend in Japan, and try to cancel from within Japan. 2. There are few ways to cancel, and one of them is sending them cancellation notice “è§ŁçŽéç„” by mail with… Read more »
Hello,
I have signed up for this when they came and i couldnt understand japanese, I was told I HAD to. And now I moved to another location but my parents are still living there. Can I tell them to cancel the contrat since it was done with my name? What will they do next? Will they send an agent to my parents address before sending me the cancellation papers? Like secure the new contract before cancelling mine.
Hello, Kalen. Thank you for reading TSC blog!
Yes, you can cancel or change the contract if you have moved from your house.
They may send an agent to your parent’s house, but please keep in mind they do NOT have any authority or right to enter someone’s house without approval to check for TV.
Hello, thanks for the detailed write-up! I have a question regarding moving to a new place. In my old apartment we managed to cancel our contract by convincing them we don’t have a TV. Yes, it was fucking disgusting to have some strangers come inside and visually rummage through your belongings but I swallowed it. That was 10 years ago. We have recently moved to a new place, and an NHK enforcer just showed up on our doorstep demanding our old address (to check our contract status) my wife (Japanese) told him to come later. What is my recourse. I… Read more »
Hello, Grinds
Thank you for reading the article and leaving the comment!
As stated in the article, as long as you can avoid having a contract with them, there will be no legal ground for fines or imprisonment as youâre not technically delinquent on any payments.
Remember, NHK collectors have no legal rights to search your house, so you do not have to let them in.
Hello, thank you very much for your article!
Unfortunately I didn’t read it in time and I signed the contract 2 days ago, but I really don’t like that because I only use my TV as a screen for the Nintendo Switch.
Could I cancel my contract by saying I donated my TV? How could I prove that?
Hello, MĂ©lodie I am sorry to hear that it happened. Hiro from the TSC team here. Yes, you can cancel the contract. I have looked up people’s reports online (in Japanese), and apparently, in some cases, you don’t need to submit proof – you just need to say you have sold or got rid of TV over the phone and they’d send you the cancellation form paper. I think the toughest part could be calling them in Japanese, as their call center is can be very difficult sometimes. I suggest enlisting the help of Japanese-speaking friends if you’re not comfortable… Read more »
Thank you for your answer, that’s good to hear !
Hi, Melodie. Were you able to cancel your subscription? How was the process? I am planning to cancel mine, too. Thanks.
Hi. The same thing happened to me. I signed the contract. However, I am living in a leopalace, would it be okay if I will tell them I donated my TV knowing that the tv I am using is not mine, but my Leoâs? Arenât they going to call my leopalace to verify that? Thanks.
Hello, Toni Thank you for the message, and sorry to hear this happened to you. To answer your question, the law states “households with TVs must sign up for NHK services” which means they will only care about whether you have a device or not, and who OWNS the device (tv) doesn’t matter. To cancel the contract, you have to prove you don’t have a TV anymore. As for the question of whether they can call Leopalace and confirm, that’s ultimately up to Leopalace, but whatever the contract you make with a house management company is (and should stay) private… Read more »
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Hi! Iâve been reading your article and it helps me get an idea about nhk ! Thank you so much, but I have a question. Is it not too late to call nhk for contract cancellation? Iâve been registered last 3 years and I do have unpaid bills for months, and Iâm just being paranoid if they have to investigate my bank accounts even if I pay only in convenience store… Thank you and Iâm hoping your kind reply..
Hello, Marvin! Thank you for reading the TSC article and for your questions! I did a quick research online in Japanese for your questions: cancellation and unpaid bills. First, it’s never too late to cancel the contract – you can do it anytime with the method in the article. Having an unpaid bill does not matter in canceling the contract with NHK. Second, For unpaid bills, since you have agreed to pay when you sign up, you still need to pay. They shouldn’t be able to look into your bank account unless you gave them your account information. Bigger things… Read more »
I’ve already signed in contract but I didn’t give my bank account. I have to pay from convenience store.
If I don’t pay, what will happen to me?
Legally, if you have already signed the contract (whether it’s NHK or not), you have an obligation to pay, Payment method does not matter.
It’s safest to go through the proper cancellation process explained in the article to end the contract.
The worst scenario is NHK suing you to pay the fee, which you are most likely to lose; NHK has a very good record of winning lawsuits for unpaid fees.
Can I cancel my contract by saying that I am moving back to another country? If I can, do I have to provide proof?
Hello, Karen! Thank you for reading and your question.
Yes, you can cancel if you’re “moving oversea”, but you may be asked to send them proof.
According to their official website, all it takes is a phone call to ask for the cancellation paper called æŸéć俥ć„çŽè§ŁçŽć±, and once you successfully fill it in and sent it back to them, it will be canceled.
http://pid.nhk.or.jp/jushinryo/about_kaiyaku.html
They are said to be notoriously lazy to handle people who want to cancel, so be prepared to be a little persistent. Good luck!
Thank you so much! I will do so immediately!
Were you able to cancel?
I moved in July to a new apartment. Nhk sent a letter on October to the older address and the mail is redirected here. . Right after this, they sent me a bill of „2620.
How come this is possible? I didn’t sign any contract, I use the TV only to watch DVDs and use Netflix. What should I do?
Hello, Nilce! Thank you for reading the article and question! What you can do depends on whether you have a contract with NHK or not. Unfortunately, How you are using your TV does not matter for NHK. #1. If you DON’T have an active contract, you don’t have a legal obligation to pay. But since NHK sent you a bill (with your name on it?), this sounds unlikely. #2. If you DO have an active contract, as moving to a new house does not automatically cancel the previous contract, then you are required by contract to pay the subscription fee.… Read more »
Is the costumer service available in english? Or just in japanese?
Hi, Saul! Thank you for the message.
I did some research, and even called NHK but couldn’t find any resource that says there is NHK English call customer service.
So, I believe it’s only in Japanese…
Asking a Japanese friend to help you out maybe the easiest solution!
after cancellation contract is sent, do i get notified? or will they sent me a cancellation notice?
They officially do not send any notification, so you need to check it yourself by checking your bank account if the monthly payment is stopped if you have set up an automatic payment, or when they stop sending a monthly invoice to you.
Someone came to my door and he said its neccesary thing to do in japan so
He didnt mentioned it nhk or else
So did give him my bank card ho i am subscribe to nhk but i dont have tv so but bill is coming evry month so what to do
I called them but couldnt conect it
Hi, Balkrishana. Sorry to hear you’re having trouble with them…
Currently, calling them is the only official method for canceling the NHK contract. https://pid.nhk.or.jp/jushinryo/about_kaiyaku.html
I think it is best to try again a few times, and enlist the help of Japanese native speaker if possible to assist you through the process.