Japan began circulating its first new banknotes in 20 years on Wednesday (Jul 3), featuring three-dimensional portraits of the founders of financial and female education institutions in an attempt to frustrate counterfeiters. The notes use printed patterns to generate holograms of the portraits facing different directions, depending on the angle of view, employing a technology that Japan's National Printing Bureau says is the world's first for paper money. CNA's Michiyo Ishida takes a look at how the new banknotes are being celebrated in Japan and the significance of cash in Japanese society.
