Who pays for a farewell party in Japan?

If a company's employees want to hold a farewell party for a high-ranking manager who leaves the company to pursue a different career, who pays for the farewell party? Does this manager pay for the party (as it is mainly for him)? The farewell party is not sanctioned by the company itself; so, it cannot be expensed as a business function.

Normally it is paid by all the people attending the party except the one who is going to leave, because it is for him.
At my work place, people pay according to their ranks; the higher the rank is, the more the person gets paid (thus can afford more then others).

I could be different depending on the place one is working for, but I've never heard someone who is leaving pays for his/her farewell party...

I agree with undrentide.

It doesn't matter which country you are. Everyone who attends the party except the person who's leaving should chip in. You're throwing a party in honor of this exec and why should the exec pay for it? Are you just being cheap?

I don't think it's got anything to do with Japan. It's a matter of common sense. However, if your workplace is on the old-fashioned side, you may be forced into attending such event, whether or not you know the exec. You just need to make your own judgment if it is beneficial for you to attend or not attend such event. It may be a good chance to network with people you normally don't get to talk to.

And it's okay to ask your colleagues about how things work in your workplace. And remember to ask nicely, without forcing your ideas about what you think is right/wrong. Just ask what the deal is.

when I had my 送別会, it was pretty much as undrentide described (everyone insisted on paying for me). However, a slightly smaller group of us went and had a 二次会, and I managed to pitch in for that. This was a group of students, but it should pretty much be the same. Generally the senior members may pay a little more; we had an OB会 and the alumni paid a considerably larger chunk of the bill than the students.

I am now clear on this. I've not been to this type of socializing that often. Good to know I am not expected to pay for the party by myself as there are over 20 employees. I am actually the manager who is leaving the company (as I landed a better-paying job )

Since I asked this question, I thought I would post the outcome. It ended up my colleague from HR was able to pull a few strings to make it a company-sponsored farewell party. So, my staff had all-they-can-drink meal in the party. It was a good way to finish off my career at the previous company.