Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to cut her own salary and those of her Cabinet ministers to show fiscal responsibility. The Japan Times reported that she will propose a revision to the public servant remuneration law during the current extraordinary parliamentary session.
The proposal will suspend extra allowances currently paid to the Prime Minister and ministers, in addition to their regular lawmakers’ salaries. Takaichi, who has long supported reducing ministerial pay, said at her first news conference in October that she would ensure ministers do not earn more than lawmakers.
Lawmakers now earn JPY 1.294 million monthly. The Prime Minister receives an extra JPY 1.152 million, while ministers get JPY 489,000 in allowances. Currently, the Prime Minister returns 30 percent and ministers 20 percent of these payments as part of cost-cutting efforts.
The Japan Innovation Party, a coalition partner, praised the plan as “a wonderful initiative.” However, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki criticized it as “a symbol of the deflationary mindset,” questioning its timing amid efforts to raise household incomes.
Despite mixed opinions, Takaichi’s pay cut proposal highlights her determination to reform Japan’s administration and spending culture.
