I never watch NHK. Do I still have to pay?

The Broadcast Act ties the obligation to having equipment capable of receiving NHK, not to whether you actually watch. Whether a specific device or situation creates that obligation can depend on the facts, so confirm the facts with NHK, and speak to a lawyer if you want to contest the obligation itself.

Is this a tax bill? Will ignoring it affect my visa?

The 受信料 is not a tax and this is not a notice from a city office or tax office. It is not deducted like resident tax and it is not a document used directly in immigration screening, but it is a civil payment obligation that NHK can pursue in court.

I have no TV, only a smartphone and a laptop. Do I need a contract?

A computer with no tuner, or watching only streaming services, is generally not treated as installing receiving equipment, but phones with ワンセグ, car navigation systems with a TV tuner and tuner-equipped PCs are judged case by case. Tell NHK the exact model you own and ask them directly.

I moved, but bills still come for my old address.

A contract does not close automatically when you move out or dispose of your TV, you must file a change of address or a cancellation. Use the address-change or cancellation pages on NHK's official website to report it.

Utilities

NHK Receiving Fee Bill or Notice (NHK受信料): What to Do

This letter or postcard comes from 日本放送協会 (NHK, Japan's public broadcaster) and concerns the 放送受信料 (broadcast receiving fee). It is usually one of four things: a request to sign a 受信契約 (receiving contract) if you have never had one; a bill with a 払込取扱票 (payment slip you can pay at a convenience store or bank); a notice about an upcoming or completed bank/credit-card payment; or a notice that payments have stopped. Look for 「日本放送協会」 or NHK as the sender and the words 放送受信料 and 受信契約 in the text. This is not a tax and not a letter from your city hall. The amount is in the 請求金額 or お支払額 box on the slip, the months covered are in 対象期間, and the due date is in the お支払期限 box, usually on the right or bottom of the slip.

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Who receives it

Under Article 64 of the Broadcast Act, households and offices that have installed equipment capable of receiving NHK broadcasts are required to have a receiving contract. If you already have a contract, bills or payment notices arrive on a regular cycle. If you have never contracted, a 「契約のお願い」 (request to contract) may arrive after you move into a new address. Duplicate mail happens too, for example when an old contract at your previous address was never closed, or another family member already pays for the same household. Full exemptions and discounts exist for households on 生活保護 (public assistance), households including a person with a disability, and students living alone away from family (family discount); these require an application.

What to do

1Check that the sender is 日本放送協会 (NHK) and work out whether the document is a request to sign a contract or an actual bill with a payment slip.
2If a 払込取扱票 (payment slip) is enclosed, read the 請求金額 (amount), 対象期間 (period covered) and お支払期限 (due date) boxes so you know what you are being asked to pay for.
3If you already pay by bank transfer (口座振替) or credit card, compare the notice with your bank or card statement, it may be an information notice, not something you need to pay again.
4To pay, take the enclosed slip to a convenience store, bank or post office before the printed due date, or apply to switch to 口座振替 or credit-card payment.
5If the letter looks wrong, you have moved, you have no receiving equipment, or you may qualify for an exemption, contact NHK using a phone number or online form you find yourself on NHK's official website (NHKふれあいセンター), not one you assume from memory.

About the deadline

The お支払期限 printed on the payment slip is the date up to which that particular slip can normally be used. It is not a statutory tax deadline with automatic penalties, but unpaid months accumulate, a surcharge under NHK's 放送受信規約 (receiving regulations) can be applied, and NHK may eventually pursue payment through civil legal procedures. If the date has passed, a convenience store may refuse the slip; in that case ask NHK for a reissue or another payment method. Always read the amount and date from the slip in your hand and never reuse figures from an earlier month's slip.

Common misunderstandings

I never watch NHK. Do I still have to pay?: The Broadcast Act ties the obligation to having equipment capable of receiving NHK, not to whether you actually watch. Whether a specific device or situation creates that obligation can depend on the facts, so confirm the facts with NHK, and speak to a lawyer if you want to contest the obligation itself.
Is this a tax bill? Will ignoring it affect my visa?: The 受信料 is not a tax and this is not a notice from a city office or tax office. It is not deducted like resident tax and it is not a document used directly in immigration screening, but it is a civil payment obligation that NHK can pursue in court.
I have no TV, only a smartphone and a laptop. Do I need a contract?: A computer with no tuner, or watching only streaming services, is generally not treated as installing receiving equipment, but phones with ワンセグ, car navigation systems with a TV tuner and tuner-equipped PCs are judged case by case. Tell NHK the exact model you own and ask them directly.
I moved, but bills still come for my old address.: A contract does not close automatically when you move out or dispose of your TV, you must file a change of address or a cancellation. Use the address-change or cancellation pages on NHK's official website to report it.

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