On July 3rd, 2024, Japan will experience its first paper currency redesign in approximately two decades, marking a significant shift in banknote aesthetics and security measures!
The updated banknotes feature altered portraits and back designs.
Previously, ¥10,000 bills showcased Fukuzawa Yukichi and the Phoenix Hall, ¥5,000 bills depicted Higuchi Ichiyo and the Irises flower, while ¥1,000 bills featured Noguchi Hideyo and Mount Fuji with cherry blossoms.
Alternatively, this redesign introduces substantial changes, with ¥10,000 bills now featuring Eiichi Shibusawa and Tokyo Station, ¥5,000 bills depicting Umeko Tsuda and wisteria, and ¥1,000 bills displaying Shibasaburo Kitasato and Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.
The criteria for selecting portrait subjects for banknotes emphasize individuals esteemed by the Japanese population, and Japanese people feel proud to present to the world. It was also essential that they are widely recognized through textbooks or other public means and whose portraits or paintings can be obtained with precision in order to prevent counterfeiting.
Notable changes in the redesigned banknotes include the adaptation of universal design principles, featuring larger Arabic numerals for improved visibility over traditional Japanese characters.
Additionally, tactile marks have been implemented to facilitate identification by touch for individuals with visual impairments or non-Japanese speakers who cannot read Japanese. Furthermore, the arrangement of these marks has been modified for each type of banknote to clarify different values. New security measures such as high-definition watermark patterns and 3D holograms have been integrated alongside traditional anti-counterfeiting techniques.
Japan implements currency redesigns approximately every 20 years in order to enhance anti-counterfeit measures. The counterfeit currency poses risks of losing trust in money and potential individual harm. The redesign aims to minimize these risks and improve usability for all people.
The currency redesign, executed in July of this year, introduces the circulation of new banknotes while old notes remain valid for continued use.
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