Security Features of Bank of Japan Notes

- 10,000 yen Note (Shotoku Taishi), 5,000 yen Note (Shotoku Taishi), 1,000 yen Note (Hirobumi Ito) and 500 yen Note (Tomomi Iwakura) -

December 3, 2012
Bank of Japan

Bank of Japan notes shown below are scarcely seen in daily transactions and no longer seem to be accepted by cash handling machines generally used in the market.

The Bank of Japan exchanges banknotes that are inconvenient for use such as banknotes from the old series for currently issued ones even if they are not damaged.

Should you discover a suspicious Bank of Japan note, please report the matter to a nearby police station or the Bank of Japan immediately.

10,000 yen Note

• Portrait : Shotoku Taishi
• Size : 84×174mm
• Date of first issue : Dec. 1, 1958
• Issue suspended : Jan. 4, 1986

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5,000 yen Note

• Portrait : Shotoku Taishi
• Size : 80×169mm
• Date of first issue : Oct. 1, 1957
• Issue suspended : Jan. 4, 1986

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  back

1,000 yen Note

• Portrait : Hirobumi Ito
• Size : 76×164mm
• Date of first issue : Nov. 1, 1963
• Issue suspended : Jan. 4, 1986

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500 yen Note

• Portrait : Tomomi Iwakura
• Size : 72×159mm
• Date of first issue : Nov. 1, 1969
• Issue suspended : Apr. 1, 1994

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(1) Watermarks

Watermarks are created by producing variations in the thickness of the paper. Watermarks in Bank of Japan notes are elaborately produced using a unique technology.

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  10,000 yen Note
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  5,000 yen Note

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  1,000 yen Note
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  500 yen Note

(2) Fine-line printing

Bank of Japan notes are minutely designed incorporating fine-line printing. Such fine lines can hardly be replicated by ordinary printing equipment, or by color copiers or similar devices.

(3) Intaglio printing

Raised printing is used for selected parts of the design, such as the Chinese characters showing denomination and the portrait. Bank of Japan notes feel rough to the touch.