Japan PM earns S$20,640 per month plus allowances, wants to cut all ministers' pay including her own

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to revise a law that will slash the salaries of Cabinet ministers, including her own.

Reducing ministers' pay

Japanese lawmakers receive a monthly salary of ¥1.294 million (S$10,940), Japan Times reported. In addition, the prime minister and cabinet ministers are paid additional allowances.

The prime minister is paid up to ¥1.152 million (S$9,700) extra, while ministers receive ¥489,000 (S$4,100).

However, the prime minister and Cabinet ministers already have their allowances reduced by 30 and 20 per cent respectively in a cost-cutting measure.

The new, revised law is expected to specify that additional allowances will not be provided “for the time being", Japan Times reported.

A meeting will likely be held this week to confirm the suspension of additional allowances.

The move has been met with mixed reactions. Some were supportive of the measure while others criticised the move.

Sanae Takaichi

The leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Takaichi was elected to power by Japan's parliament in October 2025

The 64-year-old is Japan's first female prime minister.

As an advocate for reducing ministerial pay, this move signals her commitment to a fiscal reform plan in Japan.

Top image from PM Office of Japan.