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A currency’s history

Japanese yen in 1871: Foundation

Japanese yen divides its story at 1871, under “Foundation.” The figure attached to that history is 78. Do not replace the sentence with the number on a bureau de change board today. Fix the reason it was issued, the picture, and where it was used, to that year. Physical cash production (Japan Mint) is only one slice; most money is bank deposits under the central bank's regulatory umbrella.

Japanese yen (JPY) is issued or defined under Bank of Japan. Asia's deep funding currency — low rates, vast government-bond market, and a major reserve holding. Bank of Japan sets monetary policy and oversees the unit; physical production involves Japan Mint. No. Tool-Lifes /money is a static educational atlas. It explains regimes, history and design without live tickers.

Why does Japanese yen matter globally? Global importance comes from trade invoicing, reserve holdings, financial contracts and migrant remittances — measured here as relative scores, not prices. What does the reserve-weight score mean? It ranks how heavily central banks and global finance rely on this unit compared with others in the atlas — an editorial 0–100 score.

The Design chapter covers major note and coin types; images come from Wikimedia Commons when a free licence is available. The Crises chapter summarises documented stress episodes — devaluations, peg breaks, inflation spikes — with lessons, not trading signals. The Today chapter notes digital-payment rails and CBDC pilots where relevant. Most everyday balances remain cash and bank deposits.

Japanese yen in 1871 under “Foundation” carries 78. That figure is not today’s counter price.1871

Figures to keep

Year of the rule
1871
Figure in the history
78
Currency
Japanese yen
Line in the record
Foundation

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