The Short Answer
This is a document about the 受信料 (jushinryō, reception fee — NHK's viewing fee), sent by mail or handed to you at the door by NHK, Japan's public broadcaster. Common types include the 受信契約書 (jushin keiyaku-sho, receiving contract form), the 振込用紙 (furikomi yōshi, payment slip), and overdue payment reminders. Under the 放送法 (Hōsō-hō, Broadcast Act), households that have installed equipment capable of receiving NHK television broadcasts are obligated (radio-only receivers are outside the contract scope) to conclude a receiving contract; following the 2024 amendment to the Broadcast Act, from October 2025 those who start receiving NHK's domestic online service, NHK ONE, are also covered by the contract obligation (its radio-related services, such as らじる★らじる, are excluded). Whether this applies to your situation, and the amounts and payment methods, should be confirmed against NHK's and the government's official explanations.
What This Document Is
The NHK reception fee is charged under the Broadcast Act to those who have installed equipment capable of receiving NHK television broadcasts (radio-only receivers are not covered); following the 2024 amendment to the Broadcast Act, from October 2025 those who begin receiving NHK's domestic online service, NHK ONE, are equally covered by the receiving contract obligation (radio-related services excluded). You may receive:
- 受信契約書 / 申込書 (jushin keiyaku-sho / mōshikomi-sho, receiving contract form / application form): for concluding the receiving contract.
- 振込用紙 / 払込取扱票 (furikomi yōshi / haraikomi toriatsukai-hyō, payment slips): for paying the fee.
- 催告 / 督促 (saikoku / tokusoku, payment reminder / demand): sent when payment is overdue.
Common Fields on the Document
- 受信料 (jushinryō) — reception (viewing) fee
- 受信契約 (jushin keiyaku) — receiving contract with NHK
- 衛星契約 / 地上契約 (eisei keiyaku / chijō keiyaku) — satellite / terrestrial contract (the amounts differ)
- 口座振替 / クレジット (kōza furikae / kurejitto) — bank account debit / credit card
- 振込用紙 (furikomi yōshi) — payment slip
- お客様番号 (o-kyakusama bangō) — customer number
What You Need to Do
- First identify whether it is a contract notice, a payment slip, or an overdue payment reminder.
- Confirm whether the obligation applies to you before paying: the reception fee is tied to having equipment that can receive NHK television broadcasts, or starting to receive NHK's domestic online service, NHK ONE (radio-only receivers and NHK ONE's radio-related services are outside the scope); if you have no such device, confirm your contract status with the NHK reception fee office first. For questions about the amount or the contract type (terrestrial / satellite), check with the same office.
- Once you have confirmed the contract applies to you, pay by the designated method (bank account debit, convenience store, etc.) and keep proof of payment.
- For door-to-door collection, if you are unsure about the visitor's identity or the document's contents, verify first before deciding.
Where the Deadline / Amount May Appear
- Deadline: usually printed next to the words お支払期限 (o-shiharai kigen, payment deadline) on the payment slip.
- Amount: usually printed next to 受信料 or ご請求金額 (go-seikyū kingaku, billed amount) (terrestrial / satellite amounts differ).
Which Official Body to Confirm With If Unsure
For reception fee and contract questions, rely on NHK's official reception fee office / website; for the legal basis, see the broadcasting system explanations from the 総務省 (Sōmushō, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications). Official explanations take precedence over any third-party interpretation.
Common Japanese Terms
- 受信料 (jushinryō) — reception (viewing) fee
- 受信契約 (jushin keiyaku) — receiving contract with NHK
- 衛星契約 / 地上契約 (eisei keiyaku / chijō keiyaku) — the satellite / terrestrial contract types (the amounts differ)
- 口座振替 (kōza furikae) — automatic bank account debit
- 振込用紙 (furikomi yōshi) — payment slip
- お客様番号 (o-kyakusama bangō) — customer number