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Security Features of 2,000 Yen Note

October 31, 2019
Bank of Japan

2,000 yen note

Size: 76 x 154 mm
Date of first issue: Jul. 19, 2000

  • image of the front of a 2,000 yen note

    Front

  • image of the back of a 2,000 yen note

    Back

Details of the security features

  1. (1) Watermark
    • image of the watermark of a 2,000 yen note
  2. (2) Ultrafine-line printing
  3. (3) Latent image

    When the banknote is viewed from a certain angle, the number "2000" appears on the bottom left of the front side, and the word "NIPPON" ("Japan" in Japanese) on the top right of the back side.

    • image of the latent image on the front of a 2,000 yen note
    • image of the latent image on the back of a 2,000 yen note
  4. (4) Color-shifting ink

    The number "2000" on the front top right-hand corner changes its color from bluish-green to purple when viewed from different angles.

    • image of the color-shifting ink of a 2,000 yen note
  5. (5) Pearl ink

    When viewed from different angles, a semi-transparent pattern printed with pink pearl ink appears in the blank areas of the left and right margins of the front of the note.

    • image of the pearl ink of a 2,000 yen note
    • Note : "image of the Chinese characters "Mihon"" on banknotes in red means "specimen."
  6. (6) Microprinting

    The 2,000 yen note has the words "NIPPON GINKO" ("Bank of Japan" in Japanese) printed in micro letters. Also, with the use of background printing, micro letters of different sizes forming curved lines have been introduced.

    • image of the microprinting of a 2,000 yen note
  7. (7) Intaglio printing

    Raised printing is used for selected parts of the design, including the Chinese characters showing the denomination and the picture of the Shurei-mon Gate. Bank of Japan notes feel rough to the touch.

    • image of the intaglio printing of a 2,000 yen note
  8. (8) Tactile marks (intaglio printing)

    To assist the visually impaired in detecting the 2,000 yen note by touch, a recognition symbol with a rougher texture, printed intaglio, is adopted.

    • image of the tactile marks of a 2,000 yen note
  9. (9) Luminescent ink

    The Governor's seal on the front side glows orange under ultraviolet light. Likewise, some parts of the background pattern fluoresce yellowish-green.

    • image of the luminescent ink of a 2,000 yen note

Major Law Provisions

It is a punishable offense to make or knowingly use counterfeit Bank of Japan notes. The same applies to alteration of genuine Bank of Japan notes, including alteration of their face value.

Counterfeiting currency/altering genuine currency:
Penal servitude for life or not less than three years
(Article 148, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Japan)
Use of counterfeited/altered currency:
Penal servitude for life or not less than three years
(Article 148, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code of Japan)

Should you discover a suspicious Bank of Japan note, please report the matter to a nearby police station or the Bank of Japan immediately.