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192631
Mon, 07/04/2011 - 07:31
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Japan Lawmakers' Income Drops for 3rd Straight Year in 2010

Tokyo, July 4 (Jiji Press)--Income of Japanese lawmakers averaged 21.78 million yen in 2010, down 450,000 yen from the previous year, dropping for the third straight year, parliamentary reports showed Monday.
The figure is the record low since disclosure of lawmakers' income started in 1993.
In 2010, lawmakers' salaries were almost the same level as the previous year. However, their income fell due to a drop in secondary income from business, real estate, lectures and publications amid the sluggish economy.
Their income is expected to further drop in 2011 because their salaries will be reduced by 3 million yen due to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The reports were based on income data submitted by 472 House of Representatives members and 183 House of Councillors members who held seats throughout 2010.
Lawmakers who won seats for the first time in the 2010 House of Councillors election, the upper parliamentary chamber, and those who won by-elections were excluded.
Former Prime Minister Taro Aso of the Liberal Democratic Party was the top earner with 157.12 million yen including asset sale revenue and stock dividends. He was the only lawmaker with income of 100 million yen or more last year.
Hirohiko Nakamura, an LDP member in the Upper House, came second with 77.07 million yen, followed by Juntaro Toyoda, a Lower House member of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, with 74.64 million yen.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan's income came to 32.22 million yen, up 9.49 million yen from the previous year, thanks to his salary as prime minister. His salary as a parliamentary member was 18.31 million yen.
Among cabinet members, Ryu Matsumoto, postdisaster reconstruction minister, was the biggest earner with 71.43 million yen including real estate revenue. He ranked fifth overall.
Among party leaders, People's New Party leader Shizuka Kamei ranked top, earning 44.66 million yen. DPJ leader Sadakazu Tanigaki's income came to 19.53 million yen.
Lawmakers' average annual income came to 21.22 million yen at the DPJ, 23.06 million yen at the LDP, 19.79 million yen at New Komeito, 18.74 million yen at the Japanese Communist Party and 21.36 million yen at the Social Democratic Party.
The figure was 24.47 million yen at Your Party, 26.05 million yen at the PNP, 20.24 million yen at the Sunrise Party of Japan, 21.64 million yen at the New Renaissance Party and 21.47 million yen at the New Party Nippon.
A separate report showed former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama saw the value of his assets rise by 95.1 million yen, largest among 155 Lower House members and 72 Upper House members who reported increases in their asset value.
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