Japan unveils new high-security banknotes to be issued from FY2024

TOKYO -- The Bank of Japan unveiled samples of new high-security banknotes that it will start issuing around the first half of fiscal 2024 to the media on April 14.

The new notes went on display at the Currency Museum in Tokyo's Chuo Ward the same day, and will also be displayed at the Bank of Japan Otaru Museum in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido from April 28.

It is the first time since 2004 that Japan has redesigned its banknotes. The face of the new 10,000-yen note bears an image of industrialist Shibusawa Eiichi (1840-1931), the "father of capitalism in Japan." The 5,000-yen note features female education pioneer Tsuda Umeko (1864-1929), while 1,000-yen notes have Kitasato Shibasaburo (1853-1931), who helped lay the foundations of modern medicine in Japan.

The back of the 10,000-yen note depicts the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building, the 5,000-yen note Japanese wisteria flowers, and the 1,000-yen note the artwork "Under the Wave off Kanagawa" from the "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849).

The new notes incorporate the latest anti-counterfeiting technology, including 3D holograms whose appearance changes depending on the angle from which they are viewed, microprinting, luminescent ink and high-definition watermarks. They also implement universal design features such as tactile marks to make it easier to distinguish between each of the notes.

(Japanese original by Kazuki Sakuma, Business News Department)