Last week's column dealt with NHK's fees and why we should pay them. Similarly, there are complaints from readers about paying the initial 72,000 yen plus 2,184 yen consumption tax and 800 yen contract charge to NTT for the standard telephone installation fee. None of this amount is refundable although a subscriber can sell his line independently to another person for around 30,000-40,000 yen when he no longer needs it. Purchasers of these lines should be sure to register the transfer at their NTT office, being certain the ownership name is changed on the contract. Otherwise, it will not be possible to sell the rights when that person leaves. There is only one exception. It is for those who want an ISDN line. Then there is no initial charge except for the 800 yen for contract registration. However, the person must buy a terminal adapter for 20,000-40,000 yen and pay a slightly higher basic monthly charge. For other telephone information in English, call (0120) 364463.

In the early postwar years, there was an explosive demand for telephones but the necessary funds were not available. Large connecting fees were introduced to help finance the project. NTT explains it was viewed as people buying permanent rights to the line which would be continuously maintained by NTT. The Japanese owners would pass them along to their children; there would be few occasions when anyone would want to turn one in for a refund.

Then a lot of foreigners started coming who wanted their money, which they viewed as a deposit, returned to them when they left. The situation changed but not the system; something else happened. Phone brokers, listed in your NTT Townpage classified directory under Telephone Purchases and Sales, opened offices to buy the phone lines and resell them to someone else for somewhat less than the NTT charge. As so often happens, a way will be found to operate around an unpopular regulation. It happened, too, when pachinko took over the early entertainment void. Since gambling games are illegal, pachinko winnings are paid in consumer goods. Go behind the pachinko emporium and you will find a booth where someone will buy them from you. The law is fulfilled, more or less, lots of people are employed and everyone gets at least a part of what he/she wants. It is a system that in general continues to work well for most people.