Unbelievably, the NHK have caused yet another problem with rudeness being the new quandary. The newly elected Osaka governor, celebrity lawyer Toru Hashimoto, has been berating the Osaka NHK for giving him the cold-shoulder for being late. According to Hashimoto, he had informed the NHK prior to agreeing to be interviewed at their studios, that he would be 30 minutes late. Apparently on arrival, he was quickly ushered in and the NHK staff did not introduce themselves, curtly informing him “you are late.”
Hashimoto is now in the media fuming about the lack of respect shown to him from the NHK and he has vowed that he will never again visit their studios. He has agreed to have interviews with them for the “sake of the public” but will only do so outside of NHK property.
Of course, the other broadcasters love this and Minomonta, ever hateful of the publicly funded NHK, spoke of the disgrace, citing that no independent broadcaster would be as complacent as the NHK have been.
After a series of blows to NHK’s reputation, it remains to be seen how much bad press the NHK can endure until the public gives up on them altogether.
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David (not verified)
May 2, 2008 - 08:50
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What's the difference?
How could the public possibly give up on NHK? Is there a choice? Is the government gonna say "OK, you don't have to pay NHK fees anymore?" Is the public gonna force the government to repeal that law? If the public refuses to watch or listen to NHK, will it go broke? Will the government pull the plug? Or will the government pass a law requiring everyone who owns a TV to watch NHK?
Which of the above is most unlikely?
Anna
May 2, 2008 - 10:42
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Giving up on the NHK
Technically, you are legally made to pay the NHK fees if you have a TV (regardless of whether you actually watch the channels or not). However, there appears to be no penalty for not paying so an increasing amount of people don't (unlike the UK, where you can get fined a GBP1,000 for not paying the BBC lisence fees!).All the NHK can do is to knock on your door and ask you to pay (and by the way, they all wear black suits, black ties and white shirts so its pretty obvious when they come knocking).
I guess the NHK would never go broke as the government would subsidize it. Or enforce penalties, making everyone pay the fee. Either way, I'm sure the NHK will stay the way it is for a while, regardless of whether people really watch it or not.
Jay (not verified)
September 3, 2008 - 01:31
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Late is late... and time is money.
I can understand NHK's frustration, even when they knew that he'll be late, they still have the right to treat him coldly. The Japanese habit of being on time is sacred.
Nonetheless, NHK is way better off than most government-owned stations in other countries.