- 18 Feb 2007
- 932
- 51
Lol, cheers for your reply to that particular question (even though I don't really know which way to take your answer)!
Hi!
It's hard to explain, but it's REALLY Japanese, imo! lol
Noone said that either, there is no need to over exaggerate the point, however it is one among a rather large number of other things that "gaijin" predecessors did that unfortunately created the image that Dave refers to, and many long-term residents here can attest to as well.Can't see how not paying NHK bills is suddenly foreigners ignoring Japanese "culture", at best its not following the rules.
Why dont you trust it? Here is a figure that not only backs his but actually puts it even higher.A statement I wouldn't trust to start with.
So roughly 8 in 10 are actually paying. Oh that was taken from this articleAccording to NHK officials, the percentage of households that signed contracts has been declining since the 82.5-percent figure of fiscal 1995. In fiscal 2003, the figure was 81.3 percent, meaning that one in five households has not entered into a contract with NHK. The percentage for companies was 77 percent.
The Broadcast Law requires owners of TV sets at home and the workplace to sign viewer contracts with NHK as soon as the sets are installed. However, the law has no penalties for those who do not sign or those who refuse to pay the viewer fees.
Imvho, it's a law that doesn't work anymore, and needs changing. A loophole exists, and Japanese and foreigners alike are making use of it. It's disappointing for me if they're doing so for the wrong reasons, but that's the way the world works.
Over generalization here and making insinuations that you can not back up with any valid facts or figures. BTW every JET, pays into the program so you are mistaken when you say "almost every English teacher", or perhaps you are refering to yourself?If you want to go on a moral crusade go get the foreigners and employers of foreigners who are not paying the appropriate social insurance (almost every English teacher in Japan for example).
Are you paying your compulsory social insurance dues? Hmmm?
Hi!
It's hard to explain, but it's REALLY Japanese, imo! lol
I cant answer for MO, but let me make a stab at this, it is similar to people paying their local community "fee's" or paying the town when they come to collect from every residence for the town festival.Lol, cheers for your reply to that particular question (even though I don't really know which way to take your answer)!
And let's take the converse of that.
If nobody specifically asked them to, how many of those people would volunteer their money?
A statement I wouldn't trust to start with.
Nice of you to put in a little personal attack too.
Not particularly, there are plenty of reasons why people don't pay. If I had a TV I still would not pay - I do not watch NHK, I do not have the slightest interest in NHK. With a TV I would get cable/satellite, which is around the same price and far better. I would be more than happy to untune NHK from my TV and lock it out, it would not bother me in the least.
Can't see how not paying NHK bills is suddenly foreigners ignoring Japanese "culture", at best its not following the rules.
Amazing, you pay NHK and you become a true scholar of Japanese culture... maybe I am missing out on something!
As it stands NHK has had very, very little success in forcing people to pay, and this is a fair stupid argument to start with. If you want to go on a moral crusade go get the foreigners and employers of foreigners who are not paying the appropriate social insurance (almost every English teacher in Japan for example).
Are you paying your compulsory social insurance dues? Hmmm?
Do you plan on raising a family here in Japan? Or are you planning on going home in a few years?
Over generalization here and making insinuations that you can not back up with any valid facts or figures. BTW every JET, pays into the program so you are mistaken when you say "almost every English teacher", or perhaps you are refering to yourself?
Might just be the demographic I know that makes the difference. It comes up in conversation from time to time, I believe the last time it was while commenting that the local newspaper guy hadn't been around lately so I had to actually go out and buy dish washing liquid!
Irregardless of what I plan, the NHK scam isn't going to make the slightest difference
How is it an over generalisation? I think that foreigners who are not paying their dues to support the national health and pension system are doing far, far more damage socially than those who are not paying an incompetent public broadcasting company. I find it amusing that some people are claiming we are doing damage, when in reality its not that big a deal when you look at the big picture.
(For the record I'm not an English teacher, have never taught English, and never plan to. Its also well known and documented that teachers in the major eikaiwa do not pay shakaihoken, I doubt are paying koyohoken, and I know that most ALT's are not paying it either. JET is a huge exception as it is a government program, not a private company).
I don't see where I am personaly attacking you?There you go with the personal attacks, again.
I've already made it clear, I do not have a TV. The only reason I would buy a TV is if I wasn't happy with watching DVD's on my 30" monitor - and even then it wouldn't be used for terrestrial (NHK) broadcasts, but for satellite and DVD's.
As it stands you are wrong - there is no government endorsed law that makes NHK fees obligatory for owners of TV sets capable of receiving NHK. What it does say in the Broadcast Law is that you must subscribe to NHK if you own a device capable of receiving NHK, at which point NHK charges fees, fees which are not mentioned in the law and as such are not enforceable directly by the Broadcast Law.
The image you are giving off is one of the great gaijin crusader - I can see you in your yukata, sake glass on one hand as you hammer away at the keyboard poo-pooing me for not paying NHK. If you had a little more hair a top-knot would be an option, but for now that can wait. But the real issues of tens of thousands of foreigners who are not paying for what is truly compulsory under Japanese law - health and pension - is but a trivial matter that you are happy to ignore for now.
As it is NHK is already consider a joke within Japan. Its inability to stop the bleeding on yen from its coffers, the blatant political abuse, the scandalous actions of its staff, the lengths they will go to to try and squeeze payments out of people... Its not hard to see why some Japanese would refuse to pay.
I'll say it again - paying NHK is not compulsory or enforceable - just because they say it is does not make it so. Until they are able to get the government to make it law, it remains nothing but a desire. Like other posters said, I fear the day when it does become enforcable, because you just know that will open the floodgates and widen the interpretation; mobile phones almost always have the ability to watch TV, and will they go after them for payments? What about computers? Etc etc.
And if you are that interested, yes, I would read to my children. I have loved to read since I was young, and still have many of my first books packed carefully away to be used again one day. Sitting children infront of a TV because you don't have time to interact with your children is a poor way to teach them about the world. (And if I did sit them down, they'd get to watch something cool, not crummy NHK).
It is a flat rate for a household and there are exemptions for certain situations, but by the looks of it you didn't know that.I'll say it again - paying NHK is not compulsory or enforceable - just because they say it is does not make it so. Until they are able to get the government to make it law, it remains nothing but a desire. Like other posters said, I fear the day when it does become enforcable, because you just know that will open the floodgates and widen the interpretation; mobile phones almost always have the ability to watch TV, and will they go after them for payments? What about computers? Etc etc.
This is the law and it clearly states that NHK has the right to claim fees regarding this law. NHK受信料 - Wikipedia Read right down the bottom of the page.
You throw out how it is wrong that foreigners don't pay for the health insurance in one breath and then say how insignificant it is to ignore another law b/c you find NHK not up to your standard? How hypocritical is that?
I am just itching to know how everything up until now has gone completely smoothly in your stay in Japan? b/c mine has not ,due to the few idiots that stayed here before me.
Which reminds , if you know how crap it is would this mean that you have watched it for an extended period of time?
Do I really need to explain this phenomenon?
So that's your opinion, and I might agree with you but you however that has really nothing to do with the points that Dave has been clearly trying to make to you. You evidently haven't been here long enough to experience the types of discrimination that he is refering to. That doesn't make your thoughts any less valid, just a point that the experience level is very different.I find it amusing that some people are claiming we are doing damage, when in reality its not that big a deal when you look at the big picture.
Well known, mmm, NOVA got taken to court for it and their teachers are having it deducted from their pay, so are you just repeating rumours or do you have some evidence to back up this?Its also well known and documented that teachers in the major eikaiwa do not pay shakaihoken, I doubt are paying koyohoken, and I know that most ALT's are not paying it either. JET is a huge exception as it is a government program, not a private company).
Wait till you have your own, since you dont I will pass on what I really wanted to say here and give you the benefit of the doubt.I. Sitting children infront of a TV because you don't have time to interact with your children is a poor way to teach them about the world..
Face it, you may not feel it is justified, but NHK does offer some decent commercial free programming throughout the year.
Yeah that's a fact who else covers ﾂ甲ﾅｽq窶ｰ竄ｬﾂ better than NHK?I suggest you pay it if you own a TV and quit your griping as YOU WILL TUNE IN TO NHK at one time or another during the year. Guaranteed!
Ive spent a while reading all the ones ive missed out but i remember some one wondering if the majority of non-payers were american and i think that they would be as many people from the UK find it cheaper then the fee we pay back home and probably think of it as a bargin haha so in that sense i can understand why americans dont want to pay just remember your not in Kansas anymore dorathy ;oP
Have you been reading the same thread here??Dave hasnt been attacking you, you just seem to come across as anyone that doesnt agree with your point of view is attacking you. I'm sorry but you seem to be the one with the chip on their shoulder.
Well known, mmm, NOVA got taken to court for it and their teachers are having it deducted from their pay, so are you just repeating rumours or do you have some evidence to back up this?
NovaOur future! What we're fighting for now.
2. Enrol all eligible teachers onto health and pension insurance as the law requires. Stop milking illegal profits out of JMA.
Thats what i was saying. probably more americans dont pay but i can understand better why they dont. In the end it doesnt matter who pays more often then who (it would probably be unfair anyway as a stat due to more people from one country then others). You got the point so i wont express it again haha.
In 2000 they went to court over unemployment insurance, which the company and teachers now pay (around 1,000en a month), but they are still dodging paying out over 20,000yen per teacher, per month
Uhh, you mean "放送法第32条第1項では、 所定の条件を満たした者にNHKとの受信契約を義務付けている。 しかしながら、 条件を満たしているにもかかわらず 受信契約を締結しない者に対する罰則は規定されていない。"
Which states exactly what I said? The law states that you must enter into a contract, but it does not mean that non-payment is breaking the law?
To make it plain and simple - non payment of NHK fees is not illegal, and is not going to have a direct impact on the quality of health care and security of my future in Japan.
Everyone has to pay health/pension. Not everyone has to pay NHK. One you have a choice, one you don't.
I've had a smooth time, except when my company spelt my name wrong and I had to ask the anteijo to change my name so that I would qualify and receive koyohoken. Oh and the time the bank got my name back-to-front and I racked up 2000en in bank fees trying to transfer money
I haven't had any problems because of my being foreign with the exception of matters directly related to immigration, my visa, and my gaijin card.
I spent a fair while living with Japanese families (homestay), so I know what's on TV. If shoten on NHK, then I will have to say there is at least one good thing on NHK... otherwise I've never been impressed.
It was a rhetorical question.No, you don't, but went right ahead and did so, now didn't you?
Edit: i see your point there Ewok but really thats NOVA and not every individual teacher. No doubt if companies made their teachers pay they would pay. Although im a little unsure how we got onto this from a TV fee topic.