Currencies Japan issues new banknotes for the first time in 20 years

Despite the trend towards cashless payments, cash remains an indispensable means of payment in Japan. New banknotes are set to bring several improvements.

For the first time in 20 years, Japan's central bank is issuing a new series of banknotes. The new bills in denominations of 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 yen (approximately 57, 29 and 6 francs) come "with the latest security features, including 3D holograms", according to a statement from the Governor of the Bank of Japan, Kazuo Ueda. Efforts have also been made to improve the "universal design" of the bills. The banknotes have been available in Japan since the morning.

The 10,000-yen bill features a portrait of Shibusawa Eiichi, an entrepreneur of the Meiji period (1868 to 1912) known as the "father of Japanese capitalism". The 5000-yen bill shows the teacher Tsuda Umeko, who lived until 1929, and the 1000-yen note shows the doctor and bacteriologist Kitasato Shibasaburo, who died in 1931.

The reverse side features images of Tokyo Station, the Japanese wisteria climbing plant and pictures from the woodblock print series "36 Views of Mount Fuji" by the artist Katsushika Hokusai.

Despite the trend towards cashless payment, "cash is a secure means of payment that can be used by anyone, anywhere and at any time, and will continue to play an important role," says Ueda.