TOKYO - Ten months after the release of Japan’s redesigned banknotes, an unusual detail has caught the public’s eye: the letter F on the new bills appears oddly rounded.
A woman who noticed the anomaly remarked, "Huh? Only the F looks different. It seems to have a rounder shape." When placed side-by-side with the old currency, the difference is obvious — the new F has noticeably rounded corners.
While the new bills are known for their advanced anti-counterfeiting features, including 3D holograms and watermarks, this seemingly small design tweak has led to speculation about its hidden purpose.
In response, the TV program Itto! contacted the Ministry of Finance directly. Surprisingly, Natsuki Tsuda, Director of the Treasury Division at the Budget Bureau, agreed to an interview.
Tsuda explained: "If dirt accumulates underneath the F, it might be mistaken for an E. E has sharp corners, but F was redesigned with a rounded shape to prevent such confusion."
Indeed, there had been past incidents where dirt smudges under the letter F led to misidentification as the letter E on older banknotes. To address this issue, the newly issued bills incorporate a specially rounded F to minimize errors.
The Ministry hints that F is not the only modified character on the new notes. Observers are encouraged to take a closer look — more subtle typographic adjustments may be hidden in plain sight.
Source: FNN
