NHK has filed lawsuits against two hotel operating companies for unpaid reception fees, marking the first such action in seven years as it intensifies its collection efforts.
On December 12, NHK announced that it has filed lawsuits against two hotel operating companies for long-standing unpaid reception fees, a significant step as it enhances its collection efforts for the first time in seven years. The lawsuits were initiated against a company in Fukuoka with 147 contracts that have been unpaid for six years, amounting to approximately 13.7 million yen, and another company in Hokkaido with 66 contracts unpaid for eight years, totaling about 8.5 million yen. The cases have been filed in various district courts, demanding payment including late fees.
NHK has established a new organization called the "Special Measures Center for Reception Fees" to strengthen its collection strategy, particularly targeting households that have fallen behind on their payments. The organization aims to streamline and enhance communication and collection for overdue payments while also indicating a stricter approach toward businesses that have overdue fees. Currently, there are nearly 20,000 businesses with overdue payments of over a year, a number that has reportedly doubled over the last five years, prompting NHK to resume legal actions against them after previously holding off during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NHK's President, Takehiko Inoue, who took office in January, has emphasized the financial restoration of the organization's revenue base as a key priority. He stated in a press conference that achieving stabilization of reception fee income is essential for the group, demonstrating a firm commitment to pursue all necessary measures to ensure fair payment of reception fees and to secure the organization's financial stability in the future.
