The president of NHK hinted Thursday the broadcaster might reduce its subscription rates if more people paid their fees.

Genichi Hashimoto made the remark at a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's subcommittee on communications and broadcasting.

"If the receipt of the viewer fees can be ensured, (NHK) could review" the rates, Hashimoto said in his briefing to the subcommittee on the public broadcaster's fiscal 2006 budget and fiscal 2006-2008 business plan.