Public
Broadcaster Financed
by Receiving
Fees
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Japan’s only public
broadcaster, introduced a radio service in 1925 and a television
service in 1953. NHK is financed by the receiving fee paid by
each household that owns a television set. This system enables
the Corporation to maintain independence from any governmental
and private organization, and ensures that the opinions of viewers
and listeners are assigned top priority.
NHK Governors
The Board of Governors is the decision-making body for every
important matter concerning NHK’s management policy
and operation, including the annual budget, operational plan
and basic programming policy. There are twelve board members,
appointed by the prime minister and approved by both Houses
of the Diet on behalf of the Japanese public. They bring a
broad range of experience and expertise to NHK.
Television, Radio, Online
To serve Japan, NHK operates four television channels and
three radio services. General TV and Educational TV are broadcast
terrestrially, and with the three radio channels they provide
a diverse range of programs, including news, education, and
family entertainment. The two satellite channels also offer
a varied and versatile program mix.
Internationally, NHK offers two television services: NHK
WORLD TV and NHK WORLD PREMIUM, and NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN
which provides news in 18 languages. NHK WORLD TV programs
and RADIO JAPAN’s news can be accessed on the internet
via the website www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/.
NHK has 54 stations across Japan and correspondents in 30
locations around the world.
A Leader in Broadcasting Technology
In Japan, the launch of digital satellite TV broadcasting
in December 2000 was followed by the first digital terrestrial
broadcasts in December 2003. The core technology is Hi-Vision
(HDTV), which delivers clear, vivid pictures and CD-quality
sound. All the programming on General TV is now produced and
aired in Hi-Vision.
NHK has been conducting research on even more advanced technology.
One example is Super Hi-Vision, an ultrahigh-definition widescreen
system with 4,000 scanning lines. Its picture resolution is
16 times better than the current HDTV system. NHK is also
developing special-needs broadcasting services for the elderly
and physically challenged.
International Cooperation
NHK promotes intercultural dialogue, and continually undertakes
new co-production projects with broadcasting stations, production
companies and distributors around the world. Between April
2010 and March 2011, NHK broadcast 105 co-productions under
31 titles.
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