The ruling Liberal Democratic Party received a total of ¥2.4 billion in donations from companies and industry groups in 2023, down 1.9% from the previous year, the first decline in three years, according to political funds records released by the internal affairs ministry on Friday.
The largest donators were Toyota Motor and Sumitomo Chemical, with ¥50 million each. Masakazu Tokura, chief of the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, is from Sumitomo Chemical.
Among companies with notable increases in donations, restaurant chain operator Zensho Holdings increased its donations to the LDP by ¥7 million to ¥32 million, and ANA Holdings, the parent of All Nippon Airways, boosted its donations by ¥5 million to ¥11 million.
Donations from major steelmakers Nippon Steel, JFE Holdings and Kobe Steel rose by ¥5 million to ¥32 million, by ¥5.5 million to ¥13 million and by ¥4.5 million to ¥6.5 million, respectively.
Meanwhile, companies with notable decreases included textile maker Toray Industries, which donated ¥23 million, down ¥7 million. Many drug companies cut their donations, with Takeda Pharmaceutical’s donations down ¥300,000 to ¥8.93 million, Daiichi Sankyo’s down ¥420,000 to ¥5.06 million, Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s down ¥170,000 to ¥3.04 million, and Eisai’s down ¥30,000 to ¥2.47 million.
Among industry groups, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association donated the most, ¥78 million, followed by the Japan Electrical Manufacturers‘ Association with ¥77 million and the Japan Iron and Steel Federation with ¥70 million.