The governors of 44 prefectures made an average of 23.46 million yen in 2001, according to a Kyodo News tally conducted Monday.

The average income rose 1.06 million yen from 2000, when the figure was the lowest since information on governors' incomes started being released in 1995.

Kyodo compiled the data from income statements made Monday by the 44 governors and the mayors of eight big cities.

Governors who were not in office for the full year were exempt from declaring their incomes, but Chiba Gov. Akiko Domoto, who took office in April 2001, voluntarily disclosed hers.

The average income of the mayors dropped by 330,000 yen from the previous year to 23.51 million yen.

The incomes of 18 governors and five mayors -- among the 38 governors and eight mayors whose incomes could be compared with those of the year before -- were lowered by salary and bonus cuts stemming from financial difficulties and scandals.

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara topped the list at 89 million yen, including 22.78 million yen in salary as governor and more than 50 million yen in royalties from his writings. Ishihara's royalties were up from 10.7 million yen a year earlier. In 2000, his total income was 34.78 million yen.

Nagano Gov. Yasuo Tanaka, who disclosed his income for the first time, earned 27.07 million yen, including his 20.37 million yen in salary as governor and royalties for his writings.

Yamanashi Gov. Ken Amano, who topped the list in 2000, reported 42.39 million yen in income, while Oita Gov. Morihiko Hiramatsu reported 31.1 million yen and Nagoya Mayor Takehisa Matsubara 31.61 million yen.

Miyagi Gov. Shiro Asano had the lowest income at 15.95 million yen.