New Bank Notes

 

About every 20 years, Japan introduces new bank notes as an anti-counterfit measure. The last time new ¥1,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 notes were issued was in 2004. Beginning on July 3rd, the Bank of Japan released a new series of bills. The new bank notes incorporate holigraphic technology, creating a three-dimensional effect to deter counterfeiting. Also, to assist visually impaired people the numbers on the new notes are bigger.

¥1,000 note: Shibasaburo Kitasato

Shibasaburo received his medical degree from University of Toyo in 1883, then went on to be the first person in the world to grow a pure culture of tetanus in 1889. With German physiologist Emil von Behring, he produced a serum therapy for the disease, along with antitoxins for diptheria and anthrax.  Both were nominated for the first Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1901, but the prize went only to von Behring.

¥5,000 note: Umeko Tsuda

In 1871, at age six, Umeko Tsuda's father sent her on a diplomatic expedition from Japan to the United States.  She lived with a host family in Washington DC, and studied there until she moved back to Japan at the age of 18. She worked as a tutor and was dismayed at the Japanese curriculum that emphasized educating girls to be only good wives and wise mothers. She dedicated the rest of her life to improving opportunties for women in Japan. She founded Tsuda University, which is considered to be one of the best educational institutions in Japan today.

¥10,000 note: Eiichi Shibusawa

Eiichi Shibusawa is known as the father of Japanese capitalism.  He was born in 1840 to a family of wealthy indigo farmers. He learned to read and write from his father and studed Japanese history and the Confcian classics with his cousin, who was a scholar.

Shibusawa was a pioneer of modern banking and responsible for introducing the concepts of double-entry bookkeeping and joint-stock corporations to Japan. He established the First National Bank in 1873 and was involved in founding more than 500 companies, including Sapporo Brewery and Tokyo's Imperial Hotel. 

So far, I've only seen the new 1000 yen notes, which I received in change when I purchased something. Older notes are still able to be used, but those issued before 1984 will not be taken in the 7-11 machines. At 7-11, the cashiers do not handle money. They scan what you are buying and tell you the total. You pay either with your phone or by putting your cash into the machine.

I've read that all vending machines had to be re-worked in order to accept the new notes, and this is causing some problems/expense for the businesses. More people are paying with apps on their smart phones as time goes on, but I'm still one who pays with cash.