Kazuo Ueda: Introduction of a new series of Bank of Japan notes

Remarks by Mr Kazuo Ueda, Governor of the Bank of Japan, at the introduction of a New Series of Bank of Japan Notes, Tokyo, 3 July 2024.

The views expressed in this speech are those of the speaker and not the view of the BIS.

The Bank of Japan will start issuing a new series of Bank of Japan notes from 8:00 a.m. today, July 3, 2024.

The three denominations (10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 1,000 yen notes) carry portraits of SHIBUSAWA Eiichi, TSUDA Umeko, and KITASATO Shibasaburo, respectively. On the back of the notes, the 10,000 yen note features the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building; the 5,000 yen note features Japanese wisteria flowers, or fuji in Japanese; and the 1,000 yen note features "Kanagawa-oki nami ura" (Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa) from the series Fugaku sanjurokkei (Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji), a Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print by KATSUSHIKA Hokusai.

These notes come with the latest security features, including 3-D holograms. Efforts have also been made to enhance the universal design of the notes, a design that caters for all kinds of people and groups. For example, the Arabic numerals indicating face value on the front and back of the notes have been enlarged.

Let me express my deepest gratitude to the many people who have worked to prepare for this day since the announcement to introduce a new series of Bank of Japan notes was made in April 2019.

Today, the Bank is planning to send off the new series of Bank of Japan notes with a total value of 1.6 trillion yen to the public. Despite the trend toward cashless payment, cash is a secure means of payment that can be used by anyone, anywhere, and at any time, and it will continue to play a significant role.

It is my hope that the new series of Bank of Japan notes will be widely distributed to the people to support the economic infrastructure of Japan.

Thank you for your kind attention.