In 2022, we published a preview of Japan’s new family of banknotes. The new notes were released on July 3, 2024. Here we have updated the article by replacing the preliminary images with photos of the actual banknotes now in circulation.
The Bank of Japan, the nation’s central bank, is poised to introduce three banknotes in a new series during the first half of fiscal 2024 (April-September 2024). The new notes, in denominations of 1,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 10,000 yen, are much like their counterparts in the previous series. The size (dimensions), general colour schemes, and paper substrate remain the same.
But banknote technology has come a long way since Japan’s current series was launched in 2004, and the new series integrates some of the most modern features available.
One of the most progressive design elements is the use of Universal Design, incorporated to help the visually impaired identify a note’s denomination by touch or special design. Several elements are employed to accomplish this, including:
- Intaglio printing (raised, tactile) numerals and slash marks indicating the face value.
- Enlarged Arabic numerals indicating the face value on the front and back of each note.
- Holograms and watermarks with different shapes and in different positions, depending on the note’s denomination.
The 2024 series will also incorporate cutting-edge security features to make authentication easier and counterfeiting more difficult. For example, in all three denominations:
- The portrait watermark has high-definition watermark patterns in the background.
- Vertical watermark bars are embedded in the note. The number of bars signifies the denomination (3 bars = 10,000 yen; 2 bars = 5,000 yen; 1 bar = 1.000 yen).
- A 3-D portrait (presented as a patch or vertical stripe) rotates when tilted. This is the first time this feature is being used in a banknote.
Front: Portrait of KITASATO Shibasaburō
Back: Depicts “Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa”
Front: Portrait of TSUDA Umeko
Back: Japanese wisteria flowers (fuji)
Front: Portrait of SHIBUSAWA Eiichi
Back: Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building
Sources:
Bank of Japan
https://www.boj.or.jp/en/note_tfjgs/note/n_note/index.htm/
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