Kids' questions / Politics & public office
🏯 How much does a prefectural governor make in Japan?
A governor is a full-time elected official. US pay averages $171,479/year ($70,000–$253,870); Japan averages ¥15,677,478/year (¥14,400,000–¥18,240,000) by statutory monthly pay ×12; governors who have taken a pay cut receive less.
Each state or prefecture sets its governor’s pay, so salaries vary; yearly figures here multiply monthly base pay by 12 (the statutory amount in Japan) and leave bonuses out.
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest statutory pay (Tottori) | $96,000 | Statutory monthly pay ×12 (¥1,200,000 a month) |
| Typical governor (average statutory pay, 46 prefectures) | $104,517 | Average statutory monthly pay ×12 (Fukushima excluded: ordinance amount not confirmed) |
| Highest statutory pay (Osaka; actually paid 30% less) | $121,600 | Statutory monthly pay ×12 (¥1,520,000 a month; ¥1,064,000 actually paid after the cut) |
Governors of Japan's 47 prefectures
Each prefecture sets its governor's pay by ordinance. The monthly figure is the statutory amount; governors who have taken a cut actually receive less than that. The yearly figure is shown only for the three prefectures that published the bonus amount, which is why most rows show a dash; for the others, the notes give the monthly pay and bonus months. For comparison, the Prime Minister earns $13,967 a month and a Diet member $8,627 a month.
Highest: Osaka at $10,133. Lowest: Tottori at $8,000. Average of 46: $8,710.
| Place | Monthly salary | Approx. yearly pay | Notes and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka | $10,133 Cut to $7,093 | — | Salary and bonus cut 30% (April 2015 to March 2027); paid $7,093. Bonus after the cut: $32,771 a year. Source |
| Tokyo | $10,113 | — | The 50% voluntary cut that began in August 2016 ended on July 31, 2026, so the full ordinance amount is paid now ($5,057 a month while the cut lasted). Bonus 3.65 months. Tokyo published $9,840 as of April 2025. Source |
| Kanagawa | $9,667 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Saitama | $9,467 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.4 months. Source |
| Aichi | $9,407 Cut to $7,525 | — | Salary cut 20% in FY2025; paid $7,525. Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Chiba | $9,267 | $161,086 | No cut. Bonus 3.45 months. Annual total is the amount the prefecture published. Source |
| Hiroshima | $9,260 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Hokkaido | $9,200 Cut to $6,440 | — | Salary cut 30% (Aug 2023 to Apr 2027); paid $6,440. Bonus also cut 30%. Source |
| Fukuoka | $9,000 | $154,353 | No cut. Bonus 3.4 months. Annual total is the amount the prefecture published. Source |
| Shizuoka | $8,993 | — | No cut as of April 2025. A 10% cut for 15 months from January 2026 was announced in the press; the ordinance is unconfirmed. Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Miyagi | $8,933 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.5 months. Source |
| Ibaraki | $8,933 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Gifu | $8,933 | — | No cut (still $8,933 as of April 2026). Bonus paid in FY2025: $37,306 (the June portion is prorated for the start of the term). Source |
| Hyogo | $8,933 Cut to $6,253 | — | Salary cut 30% (bonus also cut 30%, retirement pay cut 50%); paid $6,253. Source |
| Shiga | $8,800 | $149,622 | No cut now. Bonus 3.45 months. Annual total is the amount the prefecture published. Source |
| Ehime | $8,800 | — | No cut. Source |
| Gunma | $8,733 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.5 months. Source |
| Kagawa | $8,733 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.5 months. Source |
| Niigata | $8,667 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Toyama | $8,667 | — | No cut. Source |
| Ishikawa | $8,667 Cut to $6,067 | — | Salary cut 30% (July 2022 to March 2026); paid $6,067. Bonus also cut 30%. Source |
| Fukui | $8,667 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Mie | $8,667 | — | No cut. Raised from $8,533 to $8,667 in April 2025. Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Tokushima | $8,667 | — | No cut in FY2025 (the 25% cut ended in March 2024). Source |
| Nagano | $8,613 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Kyoto | $8,613 | — | Salary and bonus cut 8% (April 2025 to March 2026); paid $7,924. Source |
| Tochigi | $8,600 Cut to $7,740 | — | Salary cut 10%; paid $7,740 (April 2025). Bonus 3.5 months. Source |
| Okayama | $8,600 | — | No cut. Source |
| Yamaguchi | $8,600 | — | No cut. Source |
| Shimane | $8,533 Cut to $7,680 | — | Salary cut 10% (until April 2027); paid $7,680. Bonus also cut 10%. Source |
| Aomori | $8,400 | — | No cut. Bonus 3.5 months. Source |
| Saga | $8,400 | — | No cut listed. Source |
| Nagasaki | $8,400 | — | No cut listed. Source |
| Iwate | $8,333 | — | No cut (the earlier pay restraint ended in March 2019). Bonus 3.45 months. Source |
| Yamanashi | $8,333 | — | No cut. Source |
| Oita | $8,287 | — | No cut listed. Source |
| Yamagata | $8,267 | — | No cut. Source |
| Kumamoto | $8,267 | — | No cut listed. Source |
| Miyazaki | $8,267 | — | No cut listed. Source |
| Kagoshima | $8,267 | — | No cut listed. Source |
| Okinawa | $8,200 | — | No cut listed. Source |
| Kochi | $8,133 | — | No cut. Source |
| Nara | $8,093 Cut to $7,284 | — | Salary cut 10% (April 2025 to March 2026); paid $7,284. Bonus 3.3 months. Source |
| Akita | $8,067 Cut to $6,453 | — | Salary cut 20% (May 2025 to Apr 2029); paid $6,453. Bonus also cut 20%. Source |
| Wakayama | $8,067 Cut to $7,583 | — | Salary and bonus cut 6% in FY2025; paid $7,583. Source |
| Tottori | $8,000 | — | No cut. Source |
| Fukushima | — Cut to $7,480 | — | Salary cut 15%; paid $7,480. The ordinance amount was not confirmed, so the monthly column is blank. Source |
As of 2025-04-01 – 2026-08-01
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest statutory pay (Tottori) | $8,000 | $263 |
| Typical governor (average statutory pay, 46 prefectures) | $8,710 | $286 |
| Highest statutory pay (Osaka; actually paid 30% less) | $10,133 | $333 |
Where does the money come from?
- Monthly base salary: In Japan, each prefecture sets the governor's salary and payment rules by ordinance. Source
- Term-end bonus: Tokushima Prefecture's ordinance includes a term-end bonus in the governor's pay. Source
- Retirement allowance: Tokyo's ordinance provides a retirement allowance for its governor, in addition to salary and other payments. Source
What famous prefectural governors make
| Who | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Koike Yuriko Governor of Tokyo | $208,867 (2026) Tokyo's governor salary is set by law, and Koike's yearly pay, including bonus, is about ¥31.3 million. |
How do you become a prefectural governor?
In Japan, no school degree or licence is required. Candidates must be Japanese citizens aged 30 or older. They leave a deposit as election security, file candidacy papers when the race is announced, and must win the residents' vote.
- Learn local issues and take part in political activity before the election.
- Meet the legal requirement: be a Japanese citizen aged 30 or older.
- Leave the election deposit and file as a candidate when the election is announced.
- Win the prefectural election by earning residents' votes.
Qualifications and exams
Candidates for prefectural governor in Japan must be Japanese citizens aged 30 or older. No specific degree, licence, or professional exam is listed.
A day as a prefectural governor
In Japan, a governor may meet senior staff and hold a press conference in the morning. Later, they may attend a local group's event or hear requests; the schedule changes from day to day.
Common questions
Do all governors get the same pay?
No. Each prefecture sets pay by its own rules. Tokushima's governor is set at ¥1,300,000 a month, but in fiscal 2023 it was cut by 25% to ¥975,000. Source
Do governors in Japan get a bonus?
Tokushima Prefecture's ordinance includes a term-end allowance, a bonus-like payment, among the governor's pay. Details can differ by prefecture. Source
What is the Tokyo governor's monthly pay?
Tokyo's rules set the governor's pay at ¥1,517,000 a month. A retirement allowance is also set by the same rules. Source
Are official travel costs separate from a governor's salary?
Tokyo's ordinance treats travel costs for official trips separately from salary. The details may differ in other prefectures. Source
How long is a governor's term in Japan?
The Local Autonomy Act sets a governor's term in Japan at four years. Source
Does it cost money to run for governor?
Yes. A candidate leaves a ¥3 million deposit. If they get too few votes, they do not get it back. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-paid state governor Janet Mills (Maine, $70,000/year) | $70,000 | 2026 governor salary comparison |
| Average state governor | $171,479 | 2026 average across 50 states |
| Highest-paid state governor Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania, $253,870/year) | $253,870 | 2026 state salary; major press report |
Close US jobs
Governors of the 50 US states
Each US state sets its governor's pay by state law, so the same job pays very differently from state to state. The table shows the statutory salary as of January 2022 from the Council of State Governments (Vermont uses its 2025 statutory amount), so some states pay a different amount today.
Highest: Pennsylvania at $253,870. Lowest: Maine at $70,000. Average of 50: $172,484.
| Place | Yearly salary | Notes and source |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro | $253,870 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Salaries for Elected and Appointed Officials Receiving Salaries Contained in Act 1995-51 |
| New York Kathy Hochul | $250,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. 2026 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report |
| California Gavin Newsom | $245,929 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Salary and Benefit Resolution, June 18, 2025 - CalHR Website |
| Illinois JB Pritzker | $245,600 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Illinois State Budget, Fiscal Year 2027 |
| Vermont Phil Scott | $243,520 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. No. 144. An act relating to making appropriations for the support of the government (H.951), FY 2027 Appropriations Act |
| Massachusetts Maura Healey | $243,493 | Annual rate in the state payroll data (cthru). Commonwealth Of Massachusetts Payroll v4 |
| Tennessee Bill Lee | $239,760 | Statute ties the Governor's pay to the Chief Justice's, whose figure appears in a legislative fiscal memo. SB 2329 - HB 2494 Fiscal Memorandum |
| Washington Bob Ferguson | $234,275 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. 2025 – 2026 Final Salary Schedule |
| Connecticut Ned Lamont | $226,711 | Statutory pay is $226,711. A Governor's office statement (Dec 2022) says Gov. Lamont declines the salary. Statement From Governor Lamont’s Director of Communications on the Governor’s Salary |
| Indiana Mike Braun | $220,418 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. What is the Governor's annual salary? |
| New Jersey Mikie Sherrill | $210,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. P.L. 2023, c.349 (A5910) |
| North Carolina Josh Stein | $209,165 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Session Law 2026-41 (Senate Bill 257) |
| Minnesota Tim Walz | $200,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. 2025 Report of the Compensation Council |
| Maryland Wes Moore | $195,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Joint Resolution 4 (House Joint Resolution 4): Governor’s Salary Commission – Salary Recommendations for Governor and Lieutenant Governor |
| West Virginia Patrick Morrisey | $190,424 | State statute ties the pay to federal GS-15 step 10 (Rest of US). Salary Table 2025-RUS |
| Delaware Matt Meyer | $185,096 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Delaware Compensation Commission 2025 Final Report (January 6, 2025) |
| Hawaii | $184,860 | Statutory salary per CSG Book of the States 2023 edition (as of Jan 1, 2022). May differ from current pay. Council of State Governments, The Book of the States 2023, Table 4.3 The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel and Residence |
| Wisconsin Tony Evers | $184,684 | Pay rate for the office from 2026-06-28 (the former incumbent rate was $165,568). SECTION B - Compensation Provisions for Elected Officials, Appointed Executive Salary Group Employees, and Certain Other Unclassified Employees |
| Utah | $182,900 | Statutory salary per CSG Book of the States 2023 edition (as of Jan 1, 2022). May differ from current pay. Council of State Governments, The Book of the States 2023, Table 4.3 The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel and Residence |
| Ohio Mike DeWine | $180,203 | Computed from the base $154,248 and the statutory raises in ORC 141.011; the statute does not print the final figure. Chapter 141 - Ohio Revised Code | Ohio Laws |
| Alaska Mike Dunleavy | $176,016 | Salary line in the FY2027 Governor's proposed operating budget document. State of Alaska FY2027 Governor’s Operating Budget |
| Georgia Brian Kemp | $175,000 | Statutory salary; source not re-fetched. 2017 Legislative Session Highlights |
| Virginia Abigail Spanberger | $175,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. State Budget 2026 Special Session I Budget Bill — HB30 (Chapter), Item 44 |
| Kansas Laura Kelly | $174,000 | Statute indexes the Governor's pay to a rank-and-file member of the US Congress ($174,000). 75-3101a. Salary of governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer and commissioner of insurance; adjustment. |
| Nevada Joe Lombardo | $170,062 | Effective 2026-07-01, under the pay plan where employee and employer share retirement contributions. 2026 Compensation Schedules: Pay Policy 30—Elected Officials; Employee/Employer Contribution Plan (EE/ER) |
| Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders | $168,439 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Independent Citizens Commission of Arkansas Salary Adjustment Resolution (November 14, 2025) |
| North Dakota Kelly Armstrong | $168,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Enrolled House Bill No. 1001, Section 5, amending N.D.C.C. § 54-07-04 (Salary of governor) |
| New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte | $165,027 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Section 94:1-a Salaries Established. |
| Kentucky | $164,355 | Statutory salary per CSG Book of the States 2023 edition (as of Jan 1, 2022). May differ from current pay. Council of State Governments, The Book of the States 2023, Table 4.3 The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel and Residence |
| Rhode Island Daniel McKee | $163,295 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. FY 2027 Governor’s Budget, Volume I: General Government and Quasi-Public Agencies |
| Mississippi Tate Reeves | $160,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. MS Current CY 2026 Statute Salary Maximum Executive Branch |
| Michigan Gretchen Whitmer | $159,300 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. State of Michigan 2023 Report of the State Officers Compensation Commission |
| Texas Greg Abbott | $153,750 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act |
| Idaho Brad Little | $151,400 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Section 59-501 – Idaho State Legislature |
| South Dakota Larry Rhoden | $148,523 | From the state's open salary data. Executive Salaries — South Dakota Financial Information |
| Oklahoma Kevin Stitt | $147,000 | Statutory salary; source not re-fetched. § 250.4. State officers--Salaries |
| Missouri Mike Kehoe | $145,095 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Official Manual, State of Missouri, 2025–2026, Chapter 10: Personnel |
| Montana Greg Gianforte | $141,517 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. State of Montana 2024 Elected State Officials Salary Survey: Salaries of Montana Elected Officials Effective July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027 |
| Florida Ron DeSantis | $141,400 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Chapter 2026-232, House Bill No. 5001-E (General Appropriations Act) |
| Wyoming Mark Gordon | $140,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. HB0096 — State officials salary (Enrolled Act No. 52) |
| Colorado Jared Polis | $134,632 | Current 2026 pay; $149,230 from January 2027. Salaries for Legislators, Statewide Elected Officials, and County Officers | Colorado General Assembly |
| Alabama | $131,800 | Statutory salary per CSG Book of the States 2023 edition (as of Jan 1, 2022; state did not respond, figure carried forward). May differ from current pay. Council of State Governments, The Book of the States 2023, Table 4.3 The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel and Residence |
| Iowa Kim Reynolds | $130,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Iowa Legislature - State Employee Salary Book |
| Louisiana Jeff Landry | $130,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. RS 36:10 §10. Statewide elected officials; salary — Louisiana State Legislature |
| New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham | $110,000 | From a 2023 Legislative Finance Committee fiscal impact report (set in 2002); no later official page checked. SB 442 Fiscal Impact Report — Increase Elected Official Salaries (New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee) |
| South Carolina Henry McMaster | $106,078 | Budgeted amount (unchanged since 1994). 2025-2026 Bill 5018 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 02, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online |
| Nebraska Jim Pillen | $105,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Nebraska Revised Statute 84-101.01 — Governor; salary |
| Oregon Tina Kotek | $98,600 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. Oregon Revised Statutes |
| Arizona Katie Hobbs | $95,000 | Statutory salary, confirmed in the cited official source. FY 2026 Appropriations Report - Salary Adjustments for State Employees and Elected Officials |
| Maine Janet Mills | $70,000 | Current pay; statute raises it to $125,000 from January 2027. Title 2, §1: Residence; office hours; secretary; salary |
As of 2022-01-01 – 2026-10-04
Famous people
| Who | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Gavin Newsom Governor of California | $245,929 (2026) California Governor Gavin Newsom's yearly salary is $245,929, the highest of any U.S. governor. |
| 🏛️ Greg Abbott Governor of Texas | $153,750 (2025) Texas Governor Greg Abbott's salary is $153,750 a year. |
| 🏛️ Kathy Hochul Governor of New York | $250,000 (2026) New York Governor Kathy Hochul's salary is $250,000 a year. |
Related questions
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Data table and sources
- www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00200212&tstat=
- limo.media/articles/-/138106
- news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/e45233902d9ab7a63f46f8cf1967b8110bf1b100
- www.businessinsider.com/governor-salary-in-every-us-state
- www.abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/shapiro-to-start-2026-as-highest-paid-govern
- www.soumu.go.jp/senkyo/senkyo_s/naruhodo/naruhodo18.html
- laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/322AC0000000067
- www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&cycle=0&toukei=0020021
- reiki.pref.tokushima.lg.jp/reiki_honbun/o001RG00000149.html
- www.reiki.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/reiki/reiki_honbun/g101RG00000383.html