Forced to pay for something I DON'T want

[ampie]

So, let me start off by saying that I'm an American living in Japan.

I recently got cable because I was bored out of my mind some days with the language barrier and cable provides some relief with English channels including: Fox, AXN, Discovery and the History Channel.

Apparently, there is a channel called "NHK" which is a public service channel like the well know American channel PBS.

The same as in America, this channel comes in free.

The catch is, NHK is notified that you subscribe to this channel. They then visit your home requesting $10/month to subscribe to this free channel.

Knowing that it is illegal to not pay them, my wife wants to pay them. Me, being an arrogant American who's name is on the cable bill and doesn't understand Japanese nor want to watch this channel, doesn't-- and don't think that I can't pay the $10 for this because I can't afford it, it's just not right charging someone for something they cannot use.

Would you feel right about PBS knocking on your door making you pay $10/month for a channel you flip over trying to get to ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX? No, not unless it was illegal (and with the Constitution, this BS would never fly in the States).

How can this be legal charging me $10/month for something I don't use? This is complete bullshit. I'd rather pay $10/month for the Star channel because at least I can understand it and would watch it.

Should I fight this (in court, as I hear they bring it that far sometimes) or just give in and pay the damn bill?

Thanks for listening to my rant!

 

[craigjarvis]

Youd have to find out what the laws are in Japan. While this would be extortion here, it could be perfectly legal there. Cant you set your tv or your cable box to hide the channel

 

[lincolnave]

Why don't you just watch tv over the internet?

 

[BassTrackerBoats]

When in Rome...

 

[ampie]

Youd have to find out what the laws are in Japan. While this would be extortion here, it could be perfectly legal there. Cant you set your tv or your cable box to hide the channel

I can set my cable box to "hide" the channel, but it still comes into the box, which I must pay for.

Why don't you just watch tv over the internet?

I do download some shows that don't come in, but for the ones that do-- I would prefer to sit down on a nice leather couch with a beer and watch TV than sit in my computer chair all day.

When in Rome...

I'm pretty sure that's what it will actually come down to, but in the meantime, I think I will fight it (for myself and for the 1000s of other unspoken Japanese who also don't watch it but are still forced to pay).

 

[stopnstare]

When I was living in Tokyo the NHK guy would come by but my Japanese friends said to ast like I was not at home and they go away. After 6 months they stopped ringing the bell and I never recieved anything in my mailbox. I was there for 3 years. I guess they cant force you to pay it. If they catch you, just speak in English and you dont know ANY Japanese!

 

[Dadelius]

Send them a bill, for displaying their ads, and shows on your television.
Tell them to remove thier channel from your TV, or your going to start sending them bills.

Or don't answer the door. lol