May 11, 2020 Approval regarding Exemption of Reception Fees due to Spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection

Japan Broadcasting Corporation, also known as NHK (headed by President Terunobu Maeda), applied on May 11, 2020, for the exemption of broadcasting reception fees due to the spread of novel coronavirus infection, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) approved the application on the same day.

1. Scope of receivers’ contracts subject to exemption

Contracts of those recognized as recipients of emergency sustainable benefits for business continuity under the Emergency Economic Measures for Response to COVID-19 (the Cabinet’s decision on April 20, 2020), provided that their broadcasting receivers are installed in places other than their residences, such as offices (limited to those applying for exemption by March 31, 2021).

2. Exemption period

Two months (the month of application for exemption and the next month)

3. Exemption category

Full exemption

4. Expected number of reception fee exemptions

Approximately 1.75 million

5. Expected amount of reception fee exemptions

Approximately 3.2 billion yen
[Reference] Abstract of Exemption Standards of Reception Fees of Japan Broadcasting Corporation Supplementary provision
(Special measures for the spread of novel coronavirus disease)
3. In cases where the spread of novel coronavirus disease has or is likely to have a great influence on the people’s lives and the national economyas set forth in Supplementary Provisions Article 1-2 of the Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response (Act No. 31 of 2012), those approved in advance by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications shall be exempted from payment for broadcasting reception fees within the scope of broadcasting reception contracts for a specified exemption period.