How much do the MM girls make?

[jackal2000]

I just got around to watching Haromoni and I saw the one where they tricked the girls into thinking they won 4 million dollars and they were so shocked and happy (ep 72?). If they're this impressed by just 4 million i wonder how much they actually make. Anyone have any idea?

[winner]

In a recent episode of Gachi Gase they had Kokusho Sayuri (Onyanko Club) and Ichii Sayaka (ex-Momusu) battle their highest monthly salary while in the group.
I don't remember the number, but Sayaka's was pretty average even during Love Machine + Puchi Moni.
Worst thing was after that, they did the same with 2 comedians and their highest monthly salary was something like Sayaka's salary times 10 years.

[shirenuファクトリー]

I can't give any numbers or detailed info, but I can say that unlike western pop stars, J-idols are salary-based workers and already because of that they can't really be expected earning millions each. Also the longer you have worked with the same company, the bigger that base salary is, as Japan has that whole senpai, loyalty thing going on. And as far as I know, for extra work they get more (PBs, plays, CMs)...

I kinda like that a J-idol can't become a millionaire overnight because I think it keeps them humble, hardworking and grateful for what they have (lol does that sound horrible)... More down to earth because even if they are celebrities, they work for a salary like most other people... And don't go around buying diamond shoes or other absurd things.

[winner]

Correction on my post above. It was Ichii Sayaka vs Nitta Eri (Onyanko Club)

Sayaka's highest salary was 120,000yen while Eri's was 200,000yen. She did say the sales of CD's didn't have any impact.
While one of the comedian guys highest monthly salary was 28,000,000yen.

It was the 120427 Gachi-Gase episode for anyone interested.

[Chibs]

One point to note is that Sayaka left soon after Love Machine, I think after the 4th gen joined which was when the group finally stabalized, so had she stayed around longer she probably would have made more money.

[jackal2000]

$1200 (USD) a month? Terrible. The Japanese scholarship for foreign exchange students was tuition + $800 a month when I went there. Hopefully they're at least up to $10-20K a month nowadays.