Recent decision twists win on March case.
Nothing is more irritating to those residing in Japan than opening the door just to reveal a licensing fee collector for NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster. Famous for their persistence and sometimes brutal tactics, NHK license fee collectors are universally despised. In fact, many people have discovered a variety of ways to avoid paying the technically required fees, which can cost up to 24,800 yen a year ($ 233.57).
Some individuals even challenged the broadcasting organization’s fees through the court. There aren’t many success stories, but for the first time, a Tokyo woman in the summer of 2020 managed to avoid paying the mandatory fees in fact. While the court initially decided in favor of her and the case was seen as an important victory against the reach of NHK, on February 24, Tokyo’s highest court overturned the historic decision.
▼ There goes all my extra money for Famichikis …
The reason? Originally, the line of argument that won the woman’s case highlighted how the television had a pre-installed signal blocker and a citizen cannot be expected to know how to uninstall it. However, the new decision now argues that technically the Tokyo woman’s television could have a signal amplifier installed with the right tools involved. Essentially, as long as the electronic device can to receive or it can be modified to receive a broadcast signal, then it’s a fair game for NHK when it comes to charging staff fees.
▼ Do not open the door to the NHK license fee collector with your smartphone in hand, because some collectors may insist that your smartphone counts towards charging fees!
▼ And, of course, the leader of the Party to Teach Not to Pay NHK Reception Fee intruded, commenting that the recent turnaround was “above all proof that Japan’s judicial system is rotting”.
NHK を 視 聴 で き な い テ レ ビ 設置 も 契約 義務 … 東京 高 裁判 決 #ldnews https://t.co/y5LGvCVAUT
こ の 国 の 裁判 官 は 腐 っ て い る 、 何 よ り り の し ょ う こ– 立 花 孝 志 【【ＮＨＫ 受 信 料 を 支 支 払 な な い 方法 を 教 え る 党】】 略称 ＮＨＫ 党 党 首 ＮＨＫ を を ぶ っ 壊 す！ (@tachibanat) February 24, 2021
In the meantime, the Tokyo woman’s lawyer reported her intention to file an appeal. Although it is too early to say what the end result of this extraordinary case will be, I hope things will work out for the woman in question, as even the recent downgrade of NHK fees is stingy at best.
Source: Jiji via Livedoor News via Jin
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert images: Pakutaso (1, 2)
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