For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, I will translate it into something a little more readable. If you live in Japan, and own a Television, you have to pay the Japan Broadcasting corporation a lot of money. What? Yes! Money! Let me give you a run down of how my morning went.
Me:(on computer) “type type type”
Person at Door: Ding Dong!
Me:(getting up to check who is at said door)
PAD: (speaking in Japanese) Top of the morning to you sir!
Me: Er, can I help you?
PAD: My good man, telling from the color of you skin, it appears you come from a country other than Japan. Did you know that if you have a television you must pay us around 1400 yen a month. And if you use a satellite receiver you must pay us twice that amount. There is no way around this. Even if you are white.
Me: Er, what if I don’t watch NHK.
PAD: That doesn’t matter. According to article 32 of the broadcast law of 1950, you must pay us just for the privilege of owning a TV. Now pay!
Me: Uh, are there any repercussions for not paying.
PAD: I will get very angry with you, and possibly stalk you.
Me: Okay, what if I don’t have a TV? What if I use the Internet for all my media consumption?
PAD: Then there is no need to pay. But the minute you purchase a television, you must contact us immediately. Or else!!!
Me: Or Else what?
PAD: ….the stalking!!!!
Me: Are there any criminal or legal repercussions?
PAD: Well no, but we will hunt you down ..
Me: Um, okay. Well, since I don’t have a TV I guess there is no need to charge me.
PAD: Right you are sir. Have yourself a majestic day.
Me: Oh, I will!
So as you can see, there is a law in Japan that forces you to pay a monthly tax just in order to own a television. However, there doesn’t seem to be anyway to force people to pay. This makes me happy. I don’t have a TV right now, but should I get one, I don’t think I’ll be in a hurry to inform NHK of my new purchase. Japan, I think I love you.
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