Special Features of the New Series of Bank of Japan Notes

• 1. Security Features
• 2. Universal Design

Learn about the security features and universal design of the new series of Bank of Japan notes, first issued on July 3, 2024.

• Security Features -- Four Ways to Check Authenticity [PDF 621KB]
• Universal Design -- Improved Identifiability [PDF 993KB]
• Renewal of Bank of Japan Notes -- New security features and universal design [PDF 1,649KB]

1. Security Features

• Images of the front and back of the 10,000 yen note.

*The security features below are also incorporated in the 5,000 yen and 1,000 yen notes.

(1) Intaglio printing

Raised print feels rough to the touch.

• Numerals indicating face value

• Image of the raised print numerals indicating the face value of the 10,000 yen note. These are printed on the center left of the front of the note.

• Tactile marks

• Images of eleven parallel diagonal lines. These are printed on the right and left edges of the front of the 10,000 yen note.

(2) High-definition watermarks

High-definition watermark patterns are added to the background of the portrait watermark.

• Image of SHIBUSAWA Eiichi's portrait watermark on the 10,000 yen note, and an enlarged image of the high-definition rhombus-pattern watermark that is added to the background of the portrait watermark.

(3) Watermark-bar-patterns

Vertical watermark bars are embedded in the notes. The number of bars differs by denomination.

• Images of watermark-bar-patterns embedded in each denomination: 3 bars on the 10,000 yen note, 2 bars on the 5,000 yen note, and 1 bar on the 1,000 yen note.

(4) Hologram

The 3-D portraits rotate when tilted (the first time this is being used in banknotes). Other hologram patterns also change depending on the viewing angle.

• Images of the holographic stripes on the 10,000 yen and 5,000 yen notes, and close-ups of the rotating 3-D portraits at the top of the stripes on the 10,000 yen and 5,000 yen notes, which can be seen when tilted left to right.

• Images of the rotating 3-D portrait on the holographic patch of the 1,000 yen note, which can be seen when tilted left to right.

(5) Latent image

Numerals of the face value or the word "NIPPON" appear on the front or back of the note when tilted.

• Images of latent patterns on both the front and back of the 10,000 yen note when viewed straight on, and how numerals or letters appear when tilted.

(6) Pearl ink

A pink, pearly pattern appears in the blank areas of the left and right margins of the note when tilted.

• Images showing how a semi-transparent pink and pearly pattern appears when the 10,000 yen note is tilted.

(7) Microprinting

Using a magnifying glass reveals "NIPPONGINKO" printed in micro letters that cannot be reproduced by copy machines.

• Images of micro letters on the 10,000 yen note.

(8) Luminescent ink

The Governor's seal and some parts of the background pattern fluoresce under ultraviolet light.

• Image of the front of the 10,000 yen note under ultraviolet light, showing how the Governor's seal and some parts of the background pattern fluoresce.

2. Universal Design

(1) Tactile marks

Tactile marks help to identify the denomination by touch. To further facilitate identification, the new Bank of Japan notes have marks comprising eleven diagonal lines of the same shape and size in different positions, depending on the denomination.

• Images of the front of each denomination shown to compare the position of the tactile marks. On the 10,000 yen note, these marks are in the middle of the right and left edges. On the 5,000 yen note, they are in the middle of the top and bottom edges. On the 1,000 yen note, they are at the upper right and bottom left corners.

(2) Enlarged numerals indicating face value

To enable easier identification of the denomination, the new Bank of Japan notes have enlarged Arabic numerals indicating the face value on the front and back of the notes.

• Images of the current and new 10,000 yen notes shown to compare the size of the numerals indicating the face value.

(3) Shape and position of holograms and watermarks

To help to identify the denomination, the holograms and watermarks are different shapes and in different positions, depending on the denomination.

• Images of the front of the current and new series of banknotes shown to compare the shape and position of the holograms and watermarks. On the 10,000 yen note, the holographic stripe is on the left, while on the 5,000 yen note, it is near the center. On the 1,000 yen note, the holographic patch is at the bottom left. The shape and position of the portrait watermark on the 5,000 yen note differs markedly from those on the 10,000 yen and 1,000 yen notes.