Politics Lower House lawmakers' assets drop to record low of ¥27m

[thomas]

According to financial disclosures, Japanese lawmakers elected to the House of Representatives during last October's general election reported an average of ¥26.85 million in financial assets and real estate, marking the lowest level since comparable records began in 1993. The total—which includes cash but excludes stock holdings—fell by about ¥2.39 million compared to the 2022 disclosure. The influential lower chamber also saw a rise in members reporting no assets requiring disclosure. Out of 465 lawmakers, 22 reported assets of ¥100 million or more, down by four from the previous disclosure, while 94 members declared no assets, an increase of 17.

Among the 99 first-time representatives, the average declared assets were ¥9.82 million—about half the amount recorded for first-term members in the previous report—with around one-third stating they held no disclosable financial assets or property.

Former Prime Minister Aso Taro, currently the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's supreme adviser, topped the list with 601.53 million yen in assets, eight of the top 10 spots dominated by LDP members. Among party leaders, LDP chief Ishiba Shigeru, who became prime minister last October, had 15.55 million yen, ranking fourth. Saito Tetsuo, who leads the Komeito party, the LDP's junior coalition partner, had by far the most assets among party chiefs at 220.44 million yen, followed Maehara Seiji, co-head of the Japan Innovation Party, at 38.18 million yen and Noda Yoshihiko, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, at 23.25 million yen.

By party, the LDP came second with an average of 41.86 million yen per member, after the Social Democratic Party, whose one member had 53.83 million yen in declarable assets. Komeito ranked third with 22.10 million yen, followed by 19.85 million yen for the Japan Innovation Party and 15.26 million yen for the Democratic Party for the People. The corresponding figure for the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan came to 15.20 million yen.

Lower House members' assets hit record low: Jiji

The decrease reflects the retirement or electoral defeat of major asset holders in last year's general election, and the debut of new lawmakers.

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