NHK controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2023
Reception-fee enforcement controversy
The compulsory reception-fee model continued to generate public and political opposition. Nonpayment, collection practices, and the fairness of charging households that do not watch NHK remained contentious issues.
2020
NHK apologizes over Black Lives Matter video
Company response
NHK apologized following a furor over an animated video that purported to explain the Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S. The source says the video portrayed African Americans in a stereotypical way.
Company response
Apology — NHK
Japanese public broadcaster NHK has apologized following a furor over an animated video purporting to explain the Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S.
Source excerpt
Japanese public broadcaster NHK has apologized following a furor over an animated video purporting to explain the Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S.
It not only portrayed African Americans in a stereotypical way, with an angry […]
Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) on Jan. 9 admitted that it falsely labeled a man as a “paid protester” against the Tokyo Olympics, and denied the mistake was intentional.
2020
NHK apologizes and removes video after criticism
Company response
After receiving substantial criticism over an animated video depicting African Americans, NHK said it had taken down the tweet and apologized to people who felt uncomfortable. The video had been intended to explain the background to US protests for police reform.
Stated objective. To explain the background behind US protests for police reform.
Company response
Apology — NHK
“We apologise to those who were made to feel uncomfortable,” the broadcaster wrote on Twitter.
Remediation — NHK
Japanese public broadcaster NHK yesterday apologized and deleted from its Twitter account an animated video aimed at explaining the background behind US protests for police reform
Source excerpt
Japanese public broadcaster NHK yesterday apologized and deleted from its Twitter account an animated video aimed at explaining the background behind US protests for police reform, but which sparked online outrage for its depiction of African Americans.
“We apologise to those who were made to feel uncomfortable,” the broadcaster wrote on Twitter.
NHK said that it had decided to take down the tweet after receiving a lot of criticism, and that it had posted the video with a “lack of consideration.”
2019
NHK issues a false North Korean missile alert
Issue disclosure
NHK sent an alert incorrectly reporting that a North Korean missile had fallen into waters east of Japan. NHK said the alert was for training purposes, corrected the information, apologized, and said it would review its procedures.
Company response
Clarification — NHK
NHK corrected the information on those platforms, as well as on television and radio, within half an hour, an NHK spokesman said.
Apology — NHK
"We apologise to our viewers and the public," NHK said in a statement on its website, explaining the alert was for training purposes.
Remediation — NHK
It also said it would review its procedures to prevent a recurrence.
Source excerpt
"We apologise to our viewers and the public," NHK said in a statement on its website, explaining the alert was for training purposes.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK has issued an apology after sending a news bulletin that incorrectly reported North Korea had launched a missile that fell into waters east of the Japanese archipelago.
The NHK bulletin, which was sent out 22 minutes after midnight on its website, read: "North Korean missile seen as having fallen into seas about 2,000 km east of Hokkaido's Cape Erimo", suggesting a flight path over Japanese territory.
2011
Criticism of Fukushima disaster reporting
Following the Tohoku earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima nuclear accident, critics argued that NHK's coverage did not sufficiently communicate the dangers of radioactive contamination and was too cautious in challenging official narratives.
2004
Accounting and governance scandal
NHK faced a major institutional controversy involving improper accounting and related governance concerns. The episode damaged public confidence and contributed to increased resistance to reception-fee payments.