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Summary
of Press Conference (April, 2006)
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On new TV programs of the 2006
fiscal year starting in April
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
A major revision has been carried out with the new programming
of the 2006 fiscal year as we are determined to demonstrate
to our viewers and listeners that NHK is truly breaking out
from its shell. Regarding News Watch 9, NHK’s
major news program which was also revised drastically, I requested
the staff to deliver news stories that have immediacy and useful
information for viewers and listeners in the most natural conversational
style. The program has started well with all three anchorpersons
expressing their own personality and talents well. I expect
that News Watch 9 will grow to become a core news program
of NHK.
The new morning serial, Junjo Kirari (Pure Heart) has
also made a steady start. I understand that local viewers of
the town where the story is set have high expectations for the
serial. Other new programs, too, have generally been received
well.
(Comment by Executive Director-General of
General Broadcasting Administration, Toyohiko Harada)
Flexible programming has been introduced to the time slot
from 10:00 p.m. on terrestrial General TV for the new fiscal
year. As the first trial, we aired NHK Special: Documentary
Series on North Korea on three consecutive nights from
April 2 through 4. We thought it would be more impressive
to broadcast this type of series in succession rather than
broadcasting it in the conventional one-episode-per-week style.
The staff studied as many as 12,000 diplomatic documents,
searched for and interviewed witnesses one by one. It took
about two years to complete this reportage. We have received
opinions from the viewers that this is the kind of programs
that only NHK can offer.
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On the broadcasting schedule
for 2006 FIFA World Cup
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
As already announced, NHK will cover 20 World Cup games live
on General TV. Live relays of all 64 games will be available
on two satellite channels; 55 on BS-1 and 38 on Digital BS-hi.
From this World Cup, all games will be shot in HDTV format,
enabling NHK to send vivid, clear pictures that will deliver
great realism and immediacy to the viewers at home.
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On the state of receiving fee
payment as of the end of fiscal 2005
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
The number of refusals and withholdings of receiving fee payment
declined by 30,000 in the fifth period (December, 2005 –
January, 2006) and a further decline of 52,000 was observed
in the sixth period (February – March, 2006). The cumulative
total of 1,198,000 cases as of the end of fiscal 2005 (March
31, 2006) also reflects this downward trend. The number of resumptions
of payment reached 90,000 in the 6th period, which was the biggest
increase so far. This is especially impressive because March
is usually a time of many suspensions of account transfer payments
as people graduate from college or move between jobs. March
saw a decline in the daily average number of suspensions to
less than 500 compared with February. This, I believe, indicates
that suspensions due to the scandals involving NHK employees
are on the decline. This encourages us to intensify our campaign
to recover public confidence in NHK.
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On the taking of judicial procedures
against non-payers of receiving fees
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
Targets for recourse to judicial action will be determined
after all efforts have been made to persuade non-payers to
pay. As a first step, NHK plans to set up a special team within
the Audience Services Department during this fiscal year,
and start making preparation. After establishing a proper
system, we will start more specific activities, including
visiting non-payers’ homes and mailing written documents
to request payment.
This means that NHK has commenced preparations for taking
judicial procedures on the non-payment of receiving fees,
but we still have not decided when we will start to lodge
appeals in a summary court of law.
(Comment by Director-General of the Audience
Services Department, Kazuyuki Onishi)
Efforts to solicit receiving-fee payment are being continued
at the Audience Services Centers of each NHK local station.
Those who still refuse to pay will be referred to the aforementioned
special team which will request for payment by sending a
letter of notice, with civility. The letter will not refer
to the question of legal action.
This team has only a small staff at present but is expected
to expand gradually as the system grows to deal with an
increasing number of cases.
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
We have no definite criteria as yet for determining targets
for judicial action. I cannot be so sure if it really is
appropriate to establish a standard.
I personally prefer to maintain the principle of achieving
voluntary payment through our own efforts to win the people’s
understanding of NHK’s activities and the nature of
the receiving fee. I am asking for a chance for us to make
the efforts first. Should we simply go ahead and take legal
action automatically after five unsuccessful visits? It
is important to bear in mind that there might be reasons
for non-payment, and the number of home visits alone should
not be a decisive factor. What I meant was that it is difficult
to establish a fixed criterion when the situation differs
between households.
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On the personal study meeting
of Heizo Takenaka, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
I understand that the group has been discussing a wide range
of subjects related to the fusion and collaboration of broadcasting
and telecommunications. On this understanding, I have explained
NHK’s stance on these matters at the last month’s
hearing. We hope that Mr. Takenaka and his group will examine
the facts closely and discuss the issues from the standpoint
of viewers and listeners.
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On the Diet briefing on the NHK
budget
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
In the usual manner, I have explained the NHK budget for fiscal
2006 at Diet committees etc. of both the ruling and opposition
parties. I was not asked to talk about specific programs in
particular.
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On the implementation of Shibuya
De Domo ‘06
(Comment by Executive Vice President
of NHK, Taeko Nagai)
For the three consecutive national holidays from May 3 to 5,
NHK is organizing a major event called Shibuya De Domo ’06
(Welcome to Shibuya) at the NHK Broadcasting Center in
the Shibuya district of Tokyo. The catchphrase is, Have
Fun at NHK, and visitors will have a lot of opportunities
to see and interact with popular TV mascots. Live relays from
the venue are being planned.
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On the utilization of Fureai Hall
at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya
(Comment by Taeko Nagai)
Fureai Hall will be used throughout the week, Monday through
Sunday, for various events and open-studio broadcasts. In addition,
super-Hi-Vision TV projection will be installed in the hall,
and the lobby space on the third floor will be used as a gallery
to exhibit art pieces made by the public.
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On special services for the people
who are paying the receiving fee by account transfer
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
Starting this year, those who pay the receiving fee steadily
from their bank accounts will receive a booklet called NHK
Mini-journal once a year with a notice of debit advice.
The booklet will describe NHK’s forthcoming programs and
events, and will include discount tickets to events organized
by NHK.
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On the diffusion of digital broadcasting
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
14.16 million households were able to receive the digital satellite
TV service at the end of March, including those viewing it converted
to the analog format on cable TV. About 9.85 million receiving
equipment, which are capable of receiving digital terrestrial
broadcasting, are estimated to be used. The shift to digital
broadcasting is progressing smoothly. We expect the diffusion
will receive a further boost from the FIFA World Cup in June.
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On yesterday’s comments
and suggestions for NHK by a voluntary group of scholars and
journalists
(Comment by Genichi Hashimoto)
I am aware that people have various opinions on how NHK and
broadcasting in general should be run. It is our responsibility
to listen attentively to all of these voices, without bias.
Only after we have done this will NHK respond and chart its
own future course.
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