First Issue of Centennial Coins for Japan's National Parks

TOKYO, Jan 30 (News On Japan) - Commemorative coins for national parks across the country are set to be issued in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the national park system, with the unveiling of the designs for the first series of coins featuring three national parks in Okinawa Prefecture.

The government formally agreed at a cabinet meeting on the 30th to issue commemorative coins sequentially for national parks nationwide, leading up to the centennial of the national park system in 2031. The coins will be 1,000-yen silver coins, each featuring designs that capture the natural beauty of the respective national parks. The designs for the first series of coins representing three national parks in Okinawa were revealed on January 30.

The obverse of the coins will vividly depict in color:

- Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park with Kabira Bay and the Iriomote cat

- Kerama Islands National Park with its coral reefs and the loggerhead sea turtle

- Yanbaru National Park with Hiji Waterfall and the Okinawa rail

The reverse side of all the coins will feature a unified logo representing the national parks. Each coin will be sold for 13,800 yen including tax, with 40,000 pieces to be minted for each design. The Mint Corporation, an independent administrative agency, will sell the coins through mail order, and applications for the first series, whose designs were announced, will be accepted for about three weeks starting from May 14 this year. The government plans to continue issuing approximately five types of commemorative coins for national parks each year leading up to 2031.

by Brian Dentry

Source: NHK

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