Political parties raked in 319.6 billion yen in 2003, marking a 10.8 percent rise from 2002 and the first increase in three years, according to a tally of government political fund reports.
Local chapters of political parties and political organizations collected 179.6 billion yen, up 17 percent from the previous year and the second highest total on record following the 185.9 billion yen registered in 1995. The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry started keeping political fund records in 1983.
Businesses and organizations donated 18.6 billion yen, up 6.9 percent from the previous year, while donations from individuals totaled 52.9 billion yen, up 29.9 percent.