日本語

State of Emergency – Anti-Japanese Broadcasting by NHK

NHK is Japan’s public broadcaster and a special corporation under the jurisdiction of the Broadcasting Policy Division, Information Distribution Administration Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
However, regarding its operations, since it uses public airwaves, the Broadcasting Act guarantees its independence by stipulating that it must operate “without interference from other companies or the government.” Even as a public broadcaster, if it succumbs to pressure from the government or external parties, or if it accommodates the government or external parties, it will end up producing propaganda programs.
What concerns us is the following statement on NHK’s website:
“For NHK to maintain its autonomy, it requires financial independence. This is achieved through the receiving fee system.”
We simply cannot accept this statement. Do you believe this statement is correct ?
The Japanese public is legally obligated to pay NHK receiving fees under Article 64, Paragraph 1 of the Broadcasting Act. In other words, it’s simply a system where citizens pay NHK directly instead of paying taxes.
For these reasons, even if operational independence is guaranteed, we still believe it is a national broadcasting corporation.

If NHK mishandles its response to this incident, it will completely lose all value of its existence.
Furthermore, this incident risks NHK being labeled as China’s mouthpiece, despite being Japan’s public broadcaster.
If the Japanese government or administration defends NHK, it would imply forcing citizens to pay receiving fees to support anti-Japanese activities.

Regarding this incident, we quote from NHK News.
“On the afternoon of the 19th, during Chinese-language news broadcasts on NHK Radio International and other channels, an external staff member of Chinese nationality who was reading from a script made outrageous remarks not included in the script regarding the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture and other matters.” “An external staff member reading a Japanese script while translating. After delivering the news, this external staff member made outrageous remarks not included in the script, such as stating that the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture are Chinese territory.” (Source: NHK NEWS WEB)
NHK’s response is reported here: “NHK has strongly protested to this external staff member through the relevant organization. The relevant organization also plans to terminate its contract with this external staff member.” (Source: NHK NEWS WEB)

First, detailed information should be provided about this relevant organization, including its relationship with NHIK.

Does NHK consider the content of the remarks to be a personal matter ?
These remarks were broadcast on NHK’s airwaves, making them equivalent to NHK’s own remarks.
It is unacceptable for a public broadcaster funded by Japanese citizens’ receiving fees to be an anti-Japanese organization.
I believe discipline against NHK is also necessary. Furthermore, NHK should repeatedly and clearly state on its international radio broadcasts that the Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory. This would allow NHK to refute any attempts to extract and spread only this specific remark.

There is a term called diversity.
However, China has enacted the National Defense Mobilization Law and the National Intelligence Law, and we must understand these pose a risk to Japan’s security. Personnel recruitment and contracting must be conducted with this understanding in mind.
NHK is a public broadcaster that should provide information for the people in times of emergency.
However, if NHK does not conduct an internal investigation into this incident, we must always be aware that in times of emergency, not only could NHK’s functions be paralyzed, but there remains the risk that Japan’s information could be broadcast to China.

If not handled correctly, it will go from NHK to HNK (meaning anti-Japanese association).

Update

On August 28, 2024, NHK announced the details and its response regarding this incident.
We believe that NHK’s response will not prevent recurrence.

This Chinese external staff member used NHK’s broadcasts to disseminate Chinese propaganda.
As mentioned above, China has the National Defense Mobilization Law and the National Intelligence Law. Crucially, it must be understood that these laws also apply to Chinese people overseas.
Regarding the National Defense Mobilization Law, if overseas Chinese are mobilized, they could potentially attack critical facilities in their host country such as nuclear power plants and transportation infrastructure.
In times of emergency, this implies that military forces are already stationed there.
The National Intelligence Law, in other words, involves espionage activities. There is a risk that not only national intelligence but also information about the company where the individual is employed could be provided to China.
Considering these points, is NHK implementing measures to prevent recurrence of this incident ?

Furthermore, we should bear in mind that China also has anti-Japanese education.

Reference: The Asahi Shimbun (2024/08/21)
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15394291

Reference: The Mainichi (2024/08/21)
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240820/p2a/00m/0na/010000c

Reference: YOMIULI SHINBUN ONLINE (2025/12/13)
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20240819-OYT1T50218

Reference: NIKKEI SHINBUN (2025/12/13)
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUE2690F0W4A820C2000000

Reference: NHK (2025/12/14)
https://www.nhk.or.jp/info/otherpress/pdf/2024/20240828.pdf

Thanks.
2024/08/21 – 2025/12/20