Newly designed bank notes went into circulation Monday for the first time in 20 years, featuring cutting-edge technology aimed at combating a rising tide of counterfeits.
Bank of Japan officials said the BOJ distributed 2.3 trillion yen worth of new 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 1,000 yen bills to financial institutions Monday.
The new 5,000 yen bills carry a portrait of Ichiyo Higuchi (1872-1896), a female novelist and poet. The new 1,000 yen bills feature microbiologist Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928), who dedicated his life to researching infectious diseases.