I think that they must be paid quite a lot

but they know when to use it and they dont spend it like the american celebs.

but aiba mentioned that when he planned a trip for him and his friends something like his friends got mad at him because the price was so bad so he paid it all or something, so they must have quite a lot

I'm very curious about this as well, and have the same thoughts more or less lets hope someone can provide clear cut answers but i don't think anyone will really will, Johnny is like Japanese Mafia, he's good at keeping secrets.

I actually talked to someone in the business about this a while back... she said that idols don't get paid as much in Japan as celebrities get paid in the US, especially considering how much work they do. (^_^;; )

I saw an interview with Arashi a few days ago where Nino said that he would like to make a song for the soundtrack of a game that he really likes. Jun replied: "But then it would be licensed to JE and they would take 80%."

Of course, I don't know whether Jun was serious or joking, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was true. But, you also have to keep in mind that even JE doesn't get to keep ALL of the money that they take from the artists. They have to give HUGE amounts of cash for taxes, promotions, recordings, etc.

It's a cruel business sometimes, ne?

don't know much about this either but as far as i know johnnys talents get monthly salaries (as opposed to a percentage of sales etc). they only get extra money from CMs and dramas/movies. the salaries differ but i assume seniority plays a big role meaning senpais would generally get higher salaries than their kouhais. i think it's a lot less than what superstars get in America but thats because they get crazy money and look at what happened to people like Britney and Lindsay. i just hope arashi is getting salaries they deserve especially for their hard work the past 2 years. i dont know, i just think with sho and jun, arashi would have no problem negotiating for reasonable salaries

I've always wondered this myself. As everyone else has already said, they obvioulsy get paid less than an American idol/star would, which I suppose is favorable. Too much of a good thing leads to that sense of superiority *coughLohancough* And they are getting paid more than Korean stars, I know that.

I doubt an actual figure will ever be released to the public, but since we see them walking around in brand-name clothes, and if Jun has a mansion, then I think we can assume they're well off. :P As for Nino's penny-pinching, that's just his overall personality. xD If they keep doing their variety shows, dramas, concerts, etc., they'll be fine financially. It's just nice to see that the money isn't going to their heads.

Because they work under JE, i think they have a fixed salary. That's the whole point of working under a company like that isn't it? It guarentees you a fixed salary and will help you get popular. I think they do have bonuses and raises occasionally but that would totally depend on their success. Right now, their pay is probably off the charts!

you know i always wondered about how much arashi gets paid.. and after reading this forum, it got me thinking even more! ahaha. glad i found this though.

true..I've always wondered as well..and I don't think they're paid as well as they should with the amount of work they're put through...

A really good question that I was asking myself a lot of times, too. Hope somebody knows more about what they are making. I would really like to know, because it seems to me that they are not making lots of money.

But on the other side, sometimes I think that this is only the appearance. That their appeal is that they are hard working entertainers and that it is intentional not to boost or show excessive wealth. I also wonder if this has to do with the Japanese Culture? I don't know. Maybe it is not chic to show excessive wealth? More of a understatement culture.

It certainly makes them more grounded and more accessible.

Most of you have already cited some good research, and mentioned that JE probably takes a huge chunk out.

The only thing I can add is to compare the issue to the drama Mukodono (starring Nagase Tomoya with a chibi Aiba!). Nagase's character was an idol who did everything Arashi members do: concerts, dramas, CMs, etc. When another character asked what was Nagase's character's salary, he said he gets a salary from his agency, and it was 50 million yen per year (roughly $500,000).

Now this drama came out in 2001, so 9 years later, it's probably a little bit more. And of course, MatsuJun probably makes more than say, Ohno, because of all the extra stuff he does. But I bet that's probably close to what it is, around half a million $ a year, maybe a little more.

Hee hee. I always said that if Arashi could grant me any wish, I would ask to analyze their bank accounts, etc.

As far as Nino, I think he's just frugal (which is a good thing).

I don't think they make over USD1 million a year but they certainly have to make at least USD100,000 a year. I mean, you have to take into account that, when doing dramas, they most likely get paid per episode, all of the promotional aspects of their career, etc.. And if JE does take 80% of their earnings that is definitely not fair; I think that's a great exaggeration. Yeah, Johnny controls a lot but I don't think he's that mean to take more than 60%, right?

Let's say they made $1,000,000.00 (one million dollars) for 2009. If this 80/20 thing is correct, that means JE took $800,000.00 of that, leaving Arashi with $200,000.00 (I assume the Japanese government takes taxes out on that? If so, then they would probably only end up with like $90,000 to $100,000). That is a HUGE HUGE cut of their earnings!

As far as their entire career is concerned, I think that if they decided to stop being Arashi today, they would be well off if they handled and continue to handle their finances correctly (which it seems like they do).

Sho's family, in my opinion, is definitely upper-class. I mean, he didn't go to Keio on just his looks (unfortunately, no pun intended here). Plus, with his B.S., coupled with his "family fortune", he would be okay (he'd make more if he had a Master's, though).

Well I honestly don't know as to what extent is their salary is. But what I know is that it must be really REALLY high rated. I mean their albums/singles are best sellers, they have concerts not just Japan but in Asia as well. Not to mention their dramas and TV shows.