Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• NHK WORLD-JAPAN delivers news and other programs in English 24 hours a day. It is available via satellite broadcasting, cable TV, IPTV, and terrestrial digital broadcasting, as well as the internet.
• NHK WORLD PREMIUM is NHK’s Japanese-language channel for overseas viewers. It broadcasts news and information programs as well as dramas, music programs, children's programs, and sports.
• NHK WORLD PREMIUM is offered by subscription. Viewing methods vary by region, on cable TV and/or satellite broadcasting. For more information, please visit the FAQ of NHK WORLD PREMIUM operated by Japan International Broadcasting, Inc.

• NHK WORLD-JAPAN is available in approximately 160 countries and regions (as of March 2022), via satellite, cable TV, IPTV, and terrestrial digital broadcasting.
• To receive NHK WORLD-JAPAN directly via Intelsat Satellites, you need a satellite dish over 1 meter in diameter and a digital tuner. The signal is not scrambled and can be received free of charge.
• Most NHK WORLD-JAPAN programs can be watched live on its website.
• NHK WORLD-JAPAN provides free apps to watch its service for many smartphones and tablet devices as well as streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV™, Roku® and Apple TV®.
  Click here for details.
• NHK WORLD PREMIUM is offered by subscription. Viewing methods vary by region, on cable TV and/or satellite broadcasting.
  Click here for details. *You will leave the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website.

• One way of viewing NHK WORLD-JAPAN is to subscribe a local cable TV and/or satellite broadcasting. The fee varies depending on the service provider.
• You can view NHK WORLD-JAPAN free of charge by receiving its signal directly via Intelsat Satellites. A satellite dish over 1 meter in diameter and a digital tuner is needed. The signal is not scrambled.
  Click here for details.
• Most NHK WORLD-JAPAN programs can be watched live on its website.
• NHK WORLD-JAPAN provides free apps to watch its service for many smartphones and tablet devices as well as streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV™, Roku® and Apple TV®.
• Data communication charges for the internet connection are the viewer’s responsibility.
  Click here for details.
• NHK WORLD PREMIUM is offered by subscription. Viewing methods and fees vary by region, on cable TV and/or satellite broadcasting.
  Click here for details. *You will leave the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website.

• NHK WORLD-JAPAN services are streamed live/on demand on its website and through free apps for smartphones, tablets, and similar devices.
  Click here for details.
• Due to broadcasting rights, however, some programs are not available on the internet.
• Some NHK WORLD PREMIUM programs can be watched on NHK WORLD-JAPAN website.
  Click here for details.

• NHK WORLD-JAPAN is broadcast worldwide around the clock. The schedule is arranged so that people in different time zones of the world can view the programs at times that are convenient for them.

• NHK WORLD-JAPAN provides free video on demand as a catch-up TV service on its website and through applications for smartphones, tablets, and similar devices.
• Distribution of a program on demand worldwide on the internet requires authorization by cast members and the securing of various rights. These factors affect whether a program can be made available on demand and, if so, for how long.

• The TV JAPAN service was launched in 1991 through NHK Cosmomedia (America), Inc. in North America.
• NHK distributes its programs to TV JAPAN by telecommunication satellite. TV JAPAN is distributed to local cable networks, hotels, and households. The service can only be viewed by subscribing to these corporations.
• For more information, please visit the following websites;
  TV JAPAN operated in North America and Hawaii by NHK Cosmomedia (America), Inc.
  *You will leave the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website.

• Licensing regulations often restrict broadcasts of popular international sporting events.
• Almost all of these events can only be broadcast with the permission of the sporting federation involved. The broadcaster has to purchase the rights to provide the service.
• NHK does its best to secure international usage rights. However, in the case of popular events, usage is strictly defined by factors such as geographic area. Rights are typically limited to domestic broadcasts; permission is not granted for distribution worldwide.
• We usually remove images that cannot be broadcast overseas in advance, at the editing stage. As for NHK WORLD PREMIUM in particular, most news is transmitted live simultaneously with the broadcast in Japan. In such cases, we cover the restricted images with still pictures.
• Due to license limitations, some images are only available for NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s broadcast and not for streaming on the internet. In such cases, we cover the restricted images online with still pictures.

• NHK started overseas shortwave broadcast in 1935. NHK WORLD-JAPAN now broadcasts news, current information and topics from Japan, using medium wave, FM frequencies, and satellite radio, in addition to shortwave.
• Services are provided in 18 languages: Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese, English, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

• NHK WORLD-JAPAN is transmitted around the world in two ways: directly from Japan and via overseas relay stations.
• Some programs are provided to foreign broadcasting organizations and aired on their own FM or medium wave frequencies.
  Click here for details.
• Broadcasting is also provided over satellite radio. The programs are transmitted via satellite (Ku band) to the Asian continent, Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. Services via C band satellite can be received all over the world.
  Click here for details.
• NHK WORLD-JAPAN is streamed live on its website.
• NHK WORLD-JAPAN provides a free app for many smartphones and tablet devices.
  Click here for details.

• NHK WORLD-JAPAN is transmitted on shortwave broadcasting from 6MHz (49 meter band) to 21MHz (13 meter band). Please make sure your radio has a frequency range that is wide enough to receive the broadcasts. Because of the nature of shortwave signals, reception quality can vary by season, time, and place. NHK WORLD-JAPAN uses different frequencies for different times and service areas. It also changes frequencies on designated dates in the spring and autumn.
  Click here for the latest schedule and frequencies.
• Broadcasting is also provided over satellite radio. The programs are transmitted via Ku band satellite to the Asian continent, Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. Services via C band satellite can be received all over the world.
  Click here for details.

Click here for details.

• News and the other segments in 17 languages are available on the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website.
• Download a free app and you can listen to live streaming and audio clips from NHK WORLD-JAPAN on your smartphone and tablet device.
  Click here for details.
• The podcast news service is provided in 17 languages.
  Click here for details.

• “News” and “Easy Japanese” on NHK WORLD-JAPAN other than Japanese service can be downloaded and played on your computer or portable music player compatible with the Podcasting.
• Before listening to the podcast, you need a computer with an internet connection and an application such as iTunes. Subscribing your favorite podcast on the application allows you to download new episodes automatically. You can transfer them to your mobile music player to go.
• For listening on your smartphone, install an app compatible with the Podcasting.

• You can enjoy some NHK WORLD-JAPAN programs on NHK's domestic TV and Radio services.
  TV programs aired in Japan
  Radio programs aired in Japan
• NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s TV programs are also available on several cable stations in Japan.
  Click here for search.
• NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s both services of TV and radio are streamed live (simultaneous transmission) on its website and through free apps for smartphones and tablet devices.

Programs of NHK WORLD-JAPAN are not available on DVD or in text form.

Copyright restrictions prevent us from providing video and DVD recordings for personal use.
NHK Foundation charges a fee for the professional use of NHK’s footage.
Click here for details. *You will leave the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website.

Please use the “Contact Us” form for specific inquiries.