Japanese Yen 2000: Design, History, and Value

The Japanese Yen 2000 is a fascinating note that holds a significant place in the world of currency. It was designed by a team of artists led by Yuzo Yamaguchi.

The note features a portrait of Shigeru Yoshida, the 74th Prime Minister of Japan, on the front. The design of the note is meant to evoke a sense of tradition and heritage.

The note's design also incorporates a unique security thread that glows pink when held under ultraviolet light. This thread is a clever way to prevent counterfeiting.

The Japanese Yen 2000 was first introduced in 2004 as part of a new series of banknotes designed to improve security features.

The 2000 yen bill has a unique design that sets it apart from other Japanese banknotes. It's the only bill that doesn't feature a portrait of a significant Japanese individual, instead showcasing the Shureimon Gate of the Shuri Castle in Okinawa.

The Shuri Castle is an important cultural and historical site of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and tourists consider it a must-visit spot. The back side of the bill features an image illustrating an excerpt from Genji Monogatari, a classic story written during the Heian Era.

The bill features a portrait of Murasaki Shikibu, the author of Genji Monogatari, which is designated as a national treasure of Japan. The portrait is from a picture scroll titled Murasaki Shikibu nikki emaki, created during the Kamakura era.

Here are some key design and feature facts about the 2000 yen bill:

The bill is made of paper and measures 154 × 76 mm in size, with a rectangular shape.

The 2000 yen bill is a unique note that stands out from the rest of the Japanese currency. It's the only bill that doesn't feature a portrait of a significant Japanese individual. Instead, it showcases the Shureimon Gate of the Shuri Castle in Okinawa, an important cultural and historical sight of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The Shuri Castle is a must-visit spot for tourists, and its Shureimon Gate is a National Treasure. It was destroyed during World War II but restored in 1958. Unfortunately, a fire burned it down in 2019, but authorities are scheduled to complete its restoration by 2026.

The Shuri Castle and its surroundings are now registered as a World Heritage Site as the “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.”

Here are some key features of the 2000 yen bill:

The back side of the 2000 yen bill features an image from Genji Monogatari, a classic story written during the Heian Era. The image, called The Suzumushi, depicts former Emperor Reizei and Hikaru Genji during a moon-viewing party.

The 2000 yen note features microprinting, a security feature that's been a part of Japanese currency since 1993.

The micro letters on the 2000 yen note are smaller than those on existing denominations, making them a more advanced feature.

The use of background printing has also introduced micro letters of different sizes that form curved lines, adding an extra layer of security to the note.

The ¥2,000 note was first issued on July 19, 2000 under the "D Series". It was not reissued when notes were rereleased in later series.

The design of the ¥2,000 note is similar to that of other Japanese notes in circulation at the time of issue, featuring a 16th-century gate at Shuri Castle in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on the obverse side.

The rarity of ¥2,000 notes in circulation is linked to the few vending machines or ATMs that accept the denomination, making it inconvenient to use. This has led to a negative public opinion, with cashiers and business owners also finding it a nuisance.

The Bank of Japan stopped producing ¥2,000 notes in 2004 when there were 513 million of them in circulation. By 2010, this number had dropped to 111 million, making up just around 0.9% of all notes in circulation.

Here's a breakdown of the rarity of ¥2,000 notes in circulation over the years:

The Bank of Japan is not printing new ¥2,000 notes, as large amounts of them are currently held in the bank's reserve.

The ¥2,000 note has a rich history that's worth exploring. It was first issued on July 19, 2000, as part of the "D Series".

The design of the ¥2,000 note is unique, but it's not as rare as some other notes. The obverse features a 16th-century gate at Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, called Shureimon.

Cherry blossom and chrysanthemum motifs are also part of the design, adding a touch of elegance to the note. The reverse side is just as interesting, depicting a scene from The Tale of Genji.

A portrait of Murasaki Shikibu, the noblewoman who wrote The Tale of Genji, is also included on the reverse side. A copy of a portion of script from the original work is included, making the note a collector's dream.

The ¥2,000 note is a rare sight in circulation, with its scarcity linked to the limited number of vending machines and ATMs that accept it. This has led to public opinion being largely negative, as it's inconvenient to use and a nuisance to cashiers and business owners.

In 2004, the Bank of Japan stopped producing ¥2,000 notes, but there were still 513 million of them in circulation. By 2010, this number had dropped to 111 million, making up just 0.9% of all notes in circulation.

Today, the Bank of Japan is not printing new ¥2,000 notes, as large amounts of them are held in reserve. This has led to a thriving market for buying and selling these notes online, where they often trade above their face value.

Here's a rough breakdown of the circulation of ¥2,000 notes over the years:

Interestingly, the ¥2,000 note circulates more in Okinawa than it does on the main Japanese islands, with some ATMs in Okinawa allowing users to withdraw them specifically.