2019-10-04 Fri

On April 9, 2019, the Japanese government announced new designs for its banknotes, with pioneering industrialist Shibusawa Eiichi selected as the face for the ¥10,000 note. These new notes are scheduled to arrive in Japanese wallets in 2024.

Shibusawa Eiichi (1840–1931), who would be featuring on those notes, has been called the “Father of Modern Japanese Capitalism” and described as a man who labored in the public interest. His birthplace, the city of Fukaya in northern Saitama Prefecture, has many sites closely associated with Shibusawa’s life and achievements. He was also involved in the founding of over 500 companies and was known for his efforts in over 600 public welfare organizations.

Since the announcement that Shibusawa would feature on the new banknotes, there has been much excitement in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture, where he was born. There are many historical landmarks and buildings connected with Shibusawa near his birthplace, the Fukaya district of Chiaraijima. The Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum, located in the city’s Shimotebaka area, saw a surge in interest following the news regarding the ¥10,000 note. Visitor numbers in the first month after the announcement exceeded the previous year’s total, as people flocked to view the many fascinating photographs and historical materials on display there.

Image Courtesy: Japan Post