🏛️ How much does a Diet member make in Japan?
Most U.S. lawmakers make $174,000 a year; the House Speaker makes $223,500. In Japan, most Diet members get about ¥21.9 million a year; the Speaker gets about ¥36.7 million.
The law sets the pay; Speakers earn more than regular members, and work-expense allowances are not personal pay.
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Most Diet members (typical full-time member) | $146,053 | Diet Members’ Salary Act; 2026 bonus figures |
| The Speaker of a House of the Diet Mori Eisuke (House Speaker; about ¥36.7 million annualized) | $244,933 | Salary Act; annualized from 2026 bonus figures |
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Most Diet members (typical full-time member) | $12,171 | $400 |
| The Speaker of a House of the Diet | $20,411 | $671 |
Where does the money come from?
- Monthly salary: An ordinary member receives ¥1,294,000 in monthly pay; annual pay including bonuses is about ¥21,908,000. Source
- Twice-yearly bonus: The law provides for end-of-term bonuses in June and December. Source
- Separate work funds: Separate funds support research, public information, and other member activities; they are not salary. Source
What famous Diet members make
| Who | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Takaichi Sanae Prime Minister of Japan | $270,733 (2024) The Prime Minister's salary is set by law, and Takaichi's yearly pay is about ¥40.61 million with allowances and bonus. |
| 🏛️ Koizumi Shinjiro Defense Minister of Japan | $1.82M (2025 · assets) In Japan's 2025 asset disclosure, Koizumi reported about ¥272 million, the most of the 19 cabinet ministers. |
| 🏛️ Aso Taro Member, Japan's House of Reps | $4.01M (2026 · assets) In Japan's 2026 disclosure, Aso reported about ¥602 million, the third-highest among House of Representatives members. |
| 🏛️ Motegi Toshimitsu Foreign Minister of Japan | $197,400 (2024) Cabinet ministers' pay is set by law; Motegi earns about ¥29.61 million a year. |
| 🏛️ Hayashi Yoshimasa Japan's Internal Affairs Minister | $1.01M (2025 · assets) There's no salary figure for Hayashi this time, but his 2025 asset disclosure listed about ¥150.88 million in assets. |
| 🏛️ Katayama Satsuki Minister of Finance of Japan | $197,400 (2024) A cabinet minister's salary is set by law, and Katayama's yearly pay is about ¥29.61 million. |
| 🏛️ Akama Jiro Chair, National Public Safety Commission | $799,400 (2025 · assets) In Japan's 2025 asset disclosure, Akama was reported to have about ¥119.91 million in assets. |
| 🏛️ Mori Eisuke Speaker, Japan's House of Reps | $173,600 (2023) The Speaker's pay is set by law; Mori earns about ¥26.04 million a year. |
| 🏛️ Aisawa Ichiro House of Representatives member (Japan) | $103,520 (2023) A lawmaker's salary is set by law, and Aisawa's is about ¥15.53 million a year (plus a separate allowance). |
| 🏛️ Furukawa Toshiharu Member of Japan's House of Councillors | $103,520 (2023) A lawmaker's salary is set by law, and Furukawa's is about ¥15.53 million a year. |
How do you become a Diet member?
In Japan, you must be a citizen aged 25 or older to run for the House of Representatives, or 30 or older for the House of Councillors. Choose a valid filing route, register as a candidate, campaign during the permitted period, and win the election.
- Check that you meet the age and other candidacy rules.
- Choose a party or individual filing route.
- File your candidacy with the election official during the filing period.
- Campaign during the permitted period and win the election.
Qualifications and exams
You must be a Japanese citizen aged 25 or older to run for the House of Representatives, or 30 or older for the House of Councillors. No special degree or exam is specified.
A day as a Diet member
A member questions ministers and officials about bills in committee, then debates and votes in a plenary sitting. They also hear concerns from people and local representatives and prepare for upcoming questions.
Common questions
When do Diet members receive their bonuses?
The law provides for an end-of-term bonus in June and December for members in office on the relevant dates. Source
Do members get money for work expenses too?
Yes. Members receive ¥1,000,000 per month in separate research, public information, and stay funds. These are for work costs, not personal salary. Source
Does a House Speaker receive different pay?
Yes. The law sets the monthly salary at ¥2,170,000 for a House Speaker and ¥1,294,000 for an ordinary member. Source
Does pay rise with years of experience?
The law lists different monthly amounts for members, deputy speakers, and speakers. It does not set a pay scale by years of experience. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
In the US
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Most members of Congress (typical full-time member) | $174,000 | Congressional Research Service, 2025 salary |
| Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (House Speaker; $223,500 a year) | $223,500 | Congressional Research Service, 2025 salary |
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Data table and sources
- laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/322AC1000000080
- www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA299690Z20C26A5000000
- www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/RL/PDF/RL30064/RL30064.44.pdf
- www.bls.gov/oes/2018/May/oes111031.htm
- www.shugiin.go.jp/internet/itdb_english.nsf/html/statics/english/message.htm
- mikejohnson.house.gov/about
- www.soumu.go.jp/senkyo/senkyo_s/naruhodo/naruhodo18.html
- www.soumu.go.jp/senkyo/senkyo_s/naruhodo/naruhodo14.html
- www.shugiin.go.jp/internet/itdb_annai.nsf/html/statics/tetuzuki/kokkaiannai_s.pd
- www.sangiin.go.jp/japanese/kids/html/shikumi/shigoto.html
- The Speaker of the House of Representatives' pay is set by law at 2.17 million yen a month, times 12. (Diet Members' Salary Act)
- A regular Diet member's pay is set by law at 1.294 million yen a month, times 12, not counting bonuses. (Diet Members' Salary Act)