News On Japan

ATM Factories in Overdrive Before New Banknote Launch in July

TOKYO, Jan 16 (News On Japan) - In preparation for the issuance of new banknotes this July, ATM manufacturers in Japan are ramping up production so that Automated Teller Machines will be able to handle both old and new notes.

The new banknotes, including the 10,000 yen note featuring the portrait of Eiichi Shibusawa, will be issued on July 3rd.

Production volumes at "OKI," a company that manufactures ATMs, are expected to reach nearly 20,000 units, double the output of the previous financial year. At their factory in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture, operations have been at full capacity since last month, saying they are "experiencing an unprecedented level of production, not only due to the switch to new banknotes but also as a rebound from the semiconductor shortage."

Train companies have stated that they will gradually update ticket vending machines at stations, with the timing varying by station and region.

Major vending machine companies for beverages and other products have indicated that they will phase in compatibility with the new banknotes, monitoring their circulation. It is anticipated that for some time after their release, there will be machines that cannot accept the new banknotes.

Source: NHK

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

The Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have decided to enhance their monitoring system for the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean, as efforts to resume seafood imports from Japan to China gain momentum.

The Tohoku Shinkansen came to a halt for five hours on Thursday due to an unexpected mid-journey separation of the linked Hayabusa and Komachi trains, 30 minutes after passing Furukawa Station with a total of 320 passengers on board.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued an eruption alert for Sumisu Island in the Izu Islands, following the detection of discolored water in July.

Lawson and KDDI have teamed up to launch a 'convenience store of the future' that integrates the latest technology with communications, aiming to address labor shortages and enhance store operations.

A ten-year-old boy who was attacked on his way to a Japanese school in southern China has died of his injuries. (NHK)

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Business NEWS

The average price of a newly built condominium in Tokyo’s 23 wards has exceeded 100 million yen for the fourth consecutive month.

The village of Onna in Okinawa has recorded the highest land price increase in Japan, with prices for some areas rising by 29%. The average nationwide land price has increased by 1.4% for the third consecutive year, but the sharpest growth is seen in residential areas like Onna Village.

Land prices across Japan have been rising for four consecutive years, with North Kanto emerging as a key area of interest due to its favorable living conditions.

Sharp, a major home appliance manufacturer, has unveiled its first electric vehicle (EV) as part of its move into the electric vehicle market, with a five-seater 'extended livingroom' EV Sharp van.

Gold is gaining increasing attention as a stable asset. Among the most eye-catching items at a gold exhibition held in a Sapporo department store are statues of the genius surgeon Black Jack and his assistant Pinoko, both made of gold.

There are approximately 2 million visually impaired individuals in Japan and 300 million worldwide. Due to their impaired vision, going out often comes with the risk of accidents. In response to this issue, Honda's first startup Asirase, led by CEO Chino, developed a navigation device called 'Ashirase' to assist visually impaired individuals in walking safely.

Japanese food businesses are intensifying their expansion efforts in China, where consumption has stagnated due to rising food prices. We investigate the factors driving these Japanese companies to accelerate their operations in the Chinese market.

Pan Pacific International Holdings, the operator of Don Quijote, has announced its entry into the low-cost SIM card market. The company will offer plans starting at 770 yen per month for 3GB, using NTT Docomo’s network.