Japanese Lawmaker Salaries to Be Cut by 20% for One Year to Share COVID-19 Burden

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese National Diet has decided to pursue a plan to reduce the salaries of members of parliament by 20% for one year as a measure to share the burden caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), NHK reported on the 14th.

According to the report, Hiroshi Moriyama, the chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Diet Affairs Committee, and Jun Azumi, the chairman of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party's Diet Affairs Committee, held a meeting at the National Diet on the morning of the same day and reached this consensus. They stated, "The economic situation is difficult, and members of parliament need to share the same sentiment as the public," and agreed to push for the necessary legal amendments to reduce the salaries of members of parliament by 20% for about one year starting next month.

The current Japanese law on parliamentary salaries stipulates a monthly salary of 1,294,000 yen (approximately 14,617,300 KRW) per member. A 20% reduction would bring this down to 1,035,200 yen (approximately 11,693,800 KRW) per month. The Japanese National Diet also reduced salaries in 2011 to secure funds for reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Chairman Moriyama said, "We are well aware of the hardships faced by the public and understand the situation of businesses," adding, "Self-employed individuals are unable to operate their businesses and are facing management difficulties, and companies will likely reduce salaries significantly, so we need to set an example." At the same meeting, Chairman Moriyama also requested Chairman Azumi's cooperation to expedite the passage of this year's supplementary budget, including emergency economic measures, and they agreed to discuss the specific review schedule.

Japan's cumulative number of COVID-19 confirmed cases stands at 8,421 (including 712 passengers from the cruise ship Diamond Princess), with a total of 158 deaths, including 12 passengers from the cruise ship.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.