📺 NHK Online Streaming Now Needs a Fee (¥1,100/mo)

❓ What's changing?

Until now, NHK's online service NHK Plus was a supplement for households with a TV license. With the revised Broadcast Act taking effect on October 1, 2025, online streaming becomes subject to the fee on the same footing as broadcasting. On the same day, NHK launched NHK ONE, a new service merging NHK Plus, its News & Disaster app, the radio app Rajiru Rajiru and others. A person without a TV who applies to watch via NHK ONE must sign a ¥1,100/month contract (¥965 in Okinawa). Crucially, the obligation arises only after you apply — simply owning a smartphone or PC, or just installing the app, does not create a payment duty.

👥 Who is affected?

• ●People without a TV who apply to watch online via NHK ONE
• ●Households that already hold a TV license (no extra charge)
• ●Students and residence-tax-exempt households eligible for exemption
• ●People who merely own a smartphone or PC (not covered unless they apply)

🌏 Impact on foreigners

Foreign residents without a TV who want to watch NHK on a phone or PC will incur ¥1,100/month once they apply to view via NHK ONE. Conversely, if you never apply, there is no payment duty. Students and residence-tax-exempt households can apply for an exemption. If your household already pays the TV license, watching on a smartphone within the same household costs nothing extra. Contract, cancellation and exemption rules are mainly in Japanese, so check the details carefully before applying.