The Democratic Party of Japan will receive the largest amount of government subsidies to political parties this year at around ¥16.5 billion, claiming the top spot for the third year in a row.
The ruling DPJ's partner, Kokumin Shinto (People's New Party), will get about ¥443 million, calculated on the basis that the party had eight members as of Jan. 1. The subsidies won't be affected by the departures Friday of its leader and another member.
Total subsidies for political parties this year will stand at about ¥32 billion, according to the internal affairs ministry.
The DPJ's share is around ¥322 million less than the previous year, as some lawmakers left the party at the end of 2011.
The ministry decided to allocate about ¥208 million to the Kizuna party, formed in December by DPJ defectors, and around ¥115 million to New Party Daichi, which met the requirements to be considered a political party after some DPJ defectors joined it.
The Liberal Democratic Party will receive the second-biggest amount at around ¥10.2 billion, about ¥39 million more than the previous year, followed by New Komeito with about ¥2.28 billion, an increase of ¥3.8 million..