Etiquette of Banknotes in Japan

In Japan, there are books on etiquette for children, where there is always a chapter or even a separate book that talks about banknotes, who is depicted on them, and how to correctly understand and manage something. Moreover, for example, in Japan, according to tradition, children are given envelopes with money - “otoshidama” - on New Year’s Day. 

The topic of money and financial status is not directly a topic of etiquette. It is not customary to develop your own well-being, much less be interested in the well-being of other people. And just as we live in a world where paper bills are still used, I think it is important to know and have small talk on this topic.  

For example, in Japan there are books on etiquette for children, where there is always a chapter or even a separate book that talks about banknotes, who is depicted on them, and how to correctly understand and manage something. Moreover, for example, in Japan, according to tradition, children are given envelopes with money - “otoshidama” - on New Year’s Day. 

There are rules on how to put money in envelopes and how to give them. This suggests that traditions are preserved in this way, and children can learn to manage money from childhood. Perhaps this is why there are a large number of millionaires living in Japan.

Each country has its own traditions about who and what is depicted on banknotes. Since I live in Japan, I want to tell you that new banknotes will be issued this year, namely on July 3, 2024. This was announced on December 12, 2023 by the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Japan. I would like to note that this is the first update of banknotes in 20 years since 2004. 

In Japan, there is a tradition of depicting famous people; it so happens that on banknotes we see people from four main areas of life: representatives of education, business, medicine and art. The new 10,000 yen note features Shibusawa Eiichi, known as the "father of Japanese capitalism." Currently, this banknote depicts the writer, translator and philosopher, founder of Keio University, the first president of Tokyo Academy - Fukuzawa Yukichi. His portrait graced the 10,000 yen bill in 1984 and remains on the 2004 banknote, so the face on this banknote will change for the first time in 40 years.

On the 5,000 yen note, instead of Higuchi Ichiyo, the Meiji era writer (1868-1912), the portrait of Tsuda Umeko, who contributed to the development of women's education, will be used. It is recently that the situation of women has been changing. Beautiful representatives of Japan occupy high positions in various fields of activity. On the 1000 yen banknote, Noguchi Hideyo, a bacteriologist and eminent physician, will be replaced by Kitasato Shibasaburo - known as the "father of modern medicine" in Japan.

The reverse side of the bills has also been changed. So on the back of 10,000 yen there will be an image of the Tokyo station building, on the 5,000 yen note there will be wisteria flowers, and on the 1,000 yen note there will be the famous “Great Wave off Kanagawa” by the Japanese artist of the Edo period Katsushika Hokusai. This work influenced foreign artists and modern designers and jewelers.

I would also like to note that for the first time in the world, the banknotes will use hologram technology, which allows you to see portraits in three dimensions when viewed from different angles. As part of efforts to create a barrier-free environment, the bills have markings for tactile recognition of the denomination, and the numbers on the front side themselves are larger than on bills currently in use. 

From the moment the new banknotes are released, they will be available at cash desks of financial institutions and automated teller machines (ATMs). Banknotes currently in circulation can continue to be used. This is how you can pick up a banknote and learn the history of the country. In Japan, they treat everything with care, especially banknotes. For me, as an expert in the field of etiquette, the topic of banknotes from the point of view of historical facts and prominent people of Japan is both a good topic for small talk and a wonderful topic for small talk.

Meet Elena Gavrilina-Fujiyama, our newest contributor to Etiquipedia. Elena is a specialist in Japanese protocol and etiquette, and European social etiquette. The founder of the project Etiquette748, Elena is also a member of the National Association Specialist of Protocol. She authored the best-selling book “Japanese Etiquette: Ancient Traditions and Modern Rules” after living in Japan for over 20 years.

 

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia