The justification behind NHK's payscale for the Asadora actors

While we would normally assume that the lead actors of a drama would be paid the most in the cast, this reasoning may not necessarily apply in NHK's dramas as mentioned in this Josei Jishin article. 

Using the current asadora (morning drama) "Anpan" as an example, the payscale reflected in the table above shows the estimated pay ranges for the cast on a per 60-min basis. Note that when there are reports of a similar nature, the payscale is usually reflected on a per episode basis. However, since each episode of the asadora is only 15 minutes, this is probably why the pay rate is on a per 60-min basis i.e. 4 episodes. 

As seen above, the leads Imada Mio and Kitamura Takumi supposedly do not command as much as some of their co-stars who are supporting actors or only make very brief appearances in the drama. According to Josei Jishin's research and interviews with production associates, NHK has an unique justification system as compared to its private network counterparts based on "contribution factor" rather than name value or status in the industry.

To begin with, NHK's rates are about 20 to 30 percent lower than that of private network TV stations. As such, it is common for supporting actors to earn more than the leads. In the case of "Anpan", Matsushima Nanako is supposedly the top earner in the JPY 600,000 per 60-min category while Abe Sadao is a close second at JPY 560,000 per 60-mins. Takenouchi Yutaka, Asada Miyoko, Toda Naho & Tsumabuki Satoshi are classified in the third-highest rank of JPY 500,000. When compared to Imada who is said to be paid JPY 300,000 per 60 mins and Kitamura who gets paid JPY 250,000 per 60 mins, these actors are making as much as double of the leads despite being supporting actors.

Apparently, the contribution factor is determined based on how much success or achievements the actor/actress concerned has had with NHK dramas in the past. 

In Matsushima's case, because of the fact that she had been the heroine in 1996's asadora "Himawari" and co-lead with Karasawa Toshiaki in the 2002 Taiga drama "Toshiie to Matsu", she had been the first actress at that time who had experience being the leads in the two signature drama timeslots. As such, despite being just 51, she already commands the highest pay rate for NHK dramas.

Likewise for Abe, he has extensive experience starring in NHK's dramas i.e. 3 Taigas and 2 asadoras and was also a joint lead with Nakamura Kankuro in the 2019 Taiga drama "Idaten". As such, he is seen as a huge contributor to NHK thus commanding such a high pay rate.

In the case of Toda, she was the lead in the 1993 morning drama "Ee nyobo" and Tsumabuki was the lead in the 2009 Taiga drama "Tenchijin". Both also have extensive experience starring in various NHK dramas over the years thus justifying why they are placed in the JPY 500,000 rank. 

On the other hand, while Takenouchi doesn't seem to have an image closely related to NHK, he also has considerable experience in NHK's Taigas like "Toshiie to Matsu" and "Idaten" and had been the lead for a NHK drama series before. When compared to Takenouchi's pay rate as the lead in a private network drama, the NHK rate of JPY 500,000 is definitely much lower than what he would have commanded as the lead of a private network drama i.e. more than JPY 2m per 45-min episode.

What's worthy of special mention is, this is the first time that Ninomiya Kazunari is appearing in an asadora so for him to be paid JPY 400,000 is seen as an unusual example. However, the justification for this was said to be him being a critically-acclaimed actor who has won many awards and had contributed to NHK in a different capacity outside of dramas. As a member of ARASHI who had appeared in the Kouhaku for 12 years and even took on the role of the host on a group and solo basis, the group was also the special navigator of NHK's coverage of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

As for Imada, the last time she appeared in an asadora was in 2012's "Okaeri Mone" while Kitamura only has experience in the 2012 Taiga drama "Taira no Kiyomori". Kawai Yumi and Takahashi Fumiya are also getting a considerably lower rate this time. While they may be paid lower now, these young actors stand to earn more in future with the experience built up through "Anpan" this time since the payscale is said to be updated each year. In addition, when the drama is rerun, the cast gets a rerun fee. Since Imada is the heroine and would appear in the most number of episodes compared to the others, this is a sizeable income even if her rate per 60 mins is on the lower side. Last but not least, this pay rate doesn't include the subsidy given out when filming on location outside the studios.

While the more senior and established actors do earn more in terms of the pay rate now, the younger ones will have the luxury of time to build up their careers and may overtake their seniors one day if all goes well. Perhaps more importantly for now, it is to build up name awareness and increase exposure for them in the domestic market since the NHK dramas have a nationwide reach. As such, even if the pay rates may not be as high as the private networks or even international OTT platforms, actors will still take up the national broadcasters' works in exchange for the intangible benefits outside of money.