Japan's public broadcaster, NHK, has seen a tenfold increase in the issuance of reminders for receiver fee payments. These fees finance the broadcaster's broad range of news, educational, and cultural content. The surge has sparked debate among citizens regarding the mandatory subscription, particularly among those who consume less traditional media.

In Japan, owning a device capable of receiving NHK broadcasts mandates a fee, regardless of use, as per the Broadcast Law. This has caused dissatisfaction among a section of the population who do not regularly watch NHK but are still legally required to pay. The sharp increase in reminders is seen as an aggressive step by NHK to ensure payment, noting a ripple of protest in the society.

In contrast, the US does not have a similar license fee system, relying more on advertising and subscription fees for individual networks. Meanwhile, in the EU, many countries such as the UK do have a similar licensing fee; however, the enforcement and fee collection methods are less stringent.