Household Necessities

[mrsquiddy]

Wasn't sure where to post this so I'll throw it up here, it's related.

So I moved into my place 2 and a half months ago. Got the sewerage, elec, gas, internet on all that's going good.

Just today some guy from NHK came to my door asking me to sign a contract and pay 1,300 a month.

I don't have a TV, nor do I want one. From the crappy Japanese I speak he seemed to claim that it was necessary for everyone to pay this.

As I'm not prone to signing for things I don't want/need/unsure about, I told him I'd consult some people about it and to come back at a later date.

My obvious question to y'all is... is this necessary? or is it like a TV License in the UK?

[TJrandom]

Not having a device capable of recieving their signal - means that it is not applicable for you.

[Since1990]

Wasn't sure where to post this so I'll throw it up here, it's related.

So I moved into my place 2 and a half months ago. Got the sewerage, elec, gas, internet on all that's going good.

Just today some guy from NHK came to my door asking me to sign a contract and pay 1,300 a month.

I don't have a TV, nor do I want one. From the crappy Japanese I speak he seemed to claim that it was necessary for everyone to pay this.

As I'm not prone to signing for things I don't want/need/unsure about, I told him I'd consult some people about it and to come back at a later date.

My obvious question to y'all is... is this necessary? or is it like a TV License in the UK?

You don't have to pay if you don't have a TV. Just say "Terebi ga arimasen".

[KansaiBen]

As I'm not prone to signing for things I don't want/need/unsure about, I told him I'd consult some people about it and to come back at a later date.

My obvious question to y'all is... is this necessary? or is it like a TV License in the UK?

NHK is the Japanese equivalent of the BBC.

Its a public broadcaster paid for by television fees. By law all Japanese are supposed to pay but many dont. Tell him you dont own a TV set and be done with it.

[mrsquiddy]

Awesome, thanks dudes!

I did tell him I didn't have a TV, and (I believe) he tried to say that 'everyone pays it'.
I thought it was a bit of crap and indeed like the UK's TV License.

[cucashopboy]

Awesome, thanks dudes!

I did tell him I didn't have a TV, and (I believe) he tried to say that 'everyone pays it'.
I thought it was a bit of crap and indeed like the UK's TV License.

The difference from the UK is that the UK authorities have teeth and people can and do get fined up to 1000 pounds for not paying. In Japan there doesn't seem to be any penalty for not paying.

[hml]

The difference from the UK is that the UK authorities have teeth

Perhaps, but they're bad teeth.

[Trichophyton-in-my-pants]

Nowadays, the buggers have started to claim that people can see NHK on their laptops, that is if you say you don't have a TV.

The craziest thing is that the fee for satellite broadcasts is almost twice as high as the normal ones. Don't know exactly how this works, but basically you can only get satellite broadcasts by buying a cable TV package, such as J-Com, which offers NHK BS. As I understand, NHK BS is a satellite broadcast, which means that if you pay extra for your TV channels, you should pay extra to NHK. Pay more to pay more...

[Sterling]

http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthrea...u-pay-NHK-dues

[liamoko]

Or do what I did... after several visits from the NHK man, whilst having my TV in full view. When he came back the last time, I answered the door fully naked, haven't heard of him since... no fooling, works like a charm.

[Effected After]

If you have a TV, but aren't using it to watch TV (etc. video games only) you don't have to pay. It's only if you have a tv and are using it to watch tv. So if they are trying to get you to pay because you have a laptop, tell them to screw themselves.

Or rather, tell them to screw themselves anyways - I've never paid a cent and don't intend to.

[hml]

When he came back the last time, I answered the door fully naked, haven't heard of him since... no fooling, works like a charm.

Or rather, tell them to screw themselves anyways.

Or you could go to the door naked and invite him in...

[Call_It_Like_Eye_See_It]

Nowadays, the buggers have started to claim that people can see NHK on their laptops, that is if you say you don't have a TV.

The craziest thing is that the fee for satellite broadcasts is almost twice as high as the normal ones. Don't know exactly how this works, but basically you can only get satellite broadcasts by buying a cable TV package, such as J-Com, which offers NHK BS. As I understand, NHK BS is a satellite broadcast, which means that if you pay extra for your TV channels, you should pay extra to NHK. Pay more to pay more...

And don't forget that most people can pick up NHK on their cell phones or smart phones....

Begs the question, why doesn't NHK just block their signal from anyone but paying customers and save a bundle on the door-to-door @ssholes..?

[Effected After]

I agree, or if they are going to make everyone pay, then they should just take it out of tax money.

[Hijinx]

You don't have to pay if you don't have a TV. Just say "Terebi ga arimasen".

I've been using that line for years--even with the TV blaring in the background. Works like a charm.

[Call_It_Like_Eye_See_It]

I agree, or if they are going to make everyone pay, then they should just take it out of tax money.

Dude, NHK is already government supported and financed... Do you work for NHK?

[Effected After]

Not at all. Do they even employ foreigners?

Anyways, I know it's government funded, but they try to drag that last bit out of the people - why bother? Just take it all from taxes. Or scrap it altogether.

[kurogane]

I did tell him I didn't have a TV, and (I believe) he tried to say that 'everyone pays it'.
I thought it was a bit of crap and indeed like the UK's TV License.

He is probably a commissions based canvasser / collector (hence his attempt to BS you into paying)

If you don't watch, you shouldn't pay.

Remember, this is how flouridation started, and look what it has done to the purity of essence of our precious bodily fluids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ttokyo]

He is probably a commissions based canvasser / collector (hence his attempt to BS you into paying

Excactly. The collectors get commissions so they will trick you into paying. I wonder why he bothers you at all. As a gaijin just say you don't watch TV at all as you cannot understand it (Even if you had a TV, just using it to watch DVDs, etc)

[kurogane]

We had one really presistent & slimy guy that used to trick the gullible tenants of a guest house I stayed at into paying individually, even though the landlord already paid the collective guest house rate.

One of his victims threw a bucket of peepee on his head one morning as he knocked on the front door.

That was pretty funny.

I wanted to report him, but the landlord asked me not to.

[mrsquiddy]

He is probably a commissions based canvasser / collector (hence his attempt to BS you into paying)

If you don't watch, you shouldn't pay.

Remember, this is how flouridation started, and look what it has done to the purity of essence of our precious bodily fluids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I see what you did there. And I likes it.

Yeah, the guy was pretty shonky, he's like 'all you have to do is put your name and phone number here and we'll send you the bill.' 'Uhh... I don't want to watch TV. I don't HAVE a TV.' 'Oh but EVERYONE pays it.' 'I don't know about this, come back another time after I talk to people.' 'Oh it's easy you should do it now.'

Ahhh I feel better now.

Thanks everyone

[evilone]

I see what you did there. And I likes it.

Yeah, the guy was pretty shonky, he's like 'all you have to do is put your name and phone number here and we'll send you the bill.' 'Uhh... I don't want to watch TV. I don't HAVE a TV.' 'Oh but EVERYONE pays it.' 'I don't know about this, come back another time after I talk to people.' 'Oh it's easy you should do it now.'

Ahhh I feel better now.

Thanks everyone

I just tell the collector that I have au hikari tv which has no NHK content. They've been happy with this every time. The only reason they keep coming back is the lack of an NHK payment sticker on my doorplate.

Its even the truth, I deliberately don't even have a coaxial cable to hook up the antenna (and am thus incapable of receiving any NHK content and being subject to the fees).

[evilone]

And don't forget that most people can pick up NHK on their cell phones or smart phones....

Begs the question, why doesn't NHK just block their signal from anyone but paying customers and save a bundle on the door-to-door @ssholes..?

Because they're mandated to make the signal available to everyone by law. It would take legislation to effect this.

[TJrandom]

.... The only reason they keep coming back is the lack of an NHK payment sticker on my doorplate.

...

OH SHIxT - what a business opportunity.... knock off NHK stickers..... They must be available somewhere - right?