Series D banknotes (D-series notes) remain legal tender in Japan. The Bank of Japan has stopped issuing the Series D ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes to financial institutions, but these notes have not lost their legal tender status. Unlike the other three Series D denominations, the Series D ¥2,000 note, first issued in 2000, is still being issued.
However, a banknote being legal tender does not necessarily mean that an ATM, self-service payment machine or banknote counter will accept it. Before processing these notes with a machine, check whether the specific denominations are supported by the model and software in use.
Have you ever received an older ¥1,000 note featuring Natsume Soseki, a ¥5,000 note featuring Nitobe Inazo, or a ¥10,000 note featuring Fukuzawa Yukichi with pheasants on the reverse, and wondered whether it could still be used?
This article explains what Series D banknotes are, how they differ from Series E and Series F notes, and what businesses should check when accepting them or processing them with a banknote counter. The information is based on public materials from the Bank of Japan and the National Printing Bureau.
An older design does not make a banknote invalid. At the same time, a banknote can remain valid even if a particular machine does not support that denomination.
What Are Series D Banknotes?
Bank of Japan notes are sometimes classified as Series A, B, C, D, E and F to distinguish their order of issue. Series D includes the ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes first issued in 1984, as well as the ¥2,000 note first issued in 2000.
| Series D note | Main design | First issued | Current status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series D ¥10,000 note | Front: Fukuzawa Yukichi Back: Pheasants |
November 1, 1984 | Bank of Japan payments stopped on April 2, 2007; still valid |
| Series D ¥5,000 note | Front: Nitobe Inazo Back: Mount Fuji |
November 1, 1984 | Bank of Japan payments stopped on April 2, 2007; still valid |
| Series D ¥1,000 note | Front: Natsume Soseki Back: Cranes |
November 1, 1984 | Bank of Japan payments stopped on April 2, 2007; still valid |
| Series D ¥2,000 note | Front: Shureimon Gate Back: A scene from The Tale of Genji and Murasaki Shikibu |
July 19, 2000 | Still being issued and remains valid |
“Payments stopped” does not mean “no longer usable.” Here, the payment-stoppage date refers to when the Bank of Japan stopped issuing the notes to financial institutions. The Bank of Japan publishes a list of banknotes that remain valid, including denominations no longer being issued.
Differences Between Series D, E and F Banknotes
The letters D, E and F indicate the order in which the series were issued; they do not represent denominations or grades of authenticity. The main differences among the notes that businesses may still encounter are summarized below.
| Series | First issued | ¥10,000 note | ¥5,000 note | ¥1,000 note | ¥2,000 note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series D | 1984 (¥2,000 note: 2000) |
Fukuzawa Yukichi / pheasants | Nitobe Inazo / Mount Fuji | Natsume Soseki / cranes | Shureimon Gate / The Tale of Genji scene and Murasaki Shikibu |
| Series E | 2004 | Fukuzawa Yukichi / phoenix statue | Higuchi Ichiyo / irises | Noguchi Hideyo / Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms | — |
| Series F | 2024 | Shibusawa Eiichi / Tokyo Station | Tsuda Umeko / wisteria | Kitasato Shibasaburo / The Great Wave off Kanagawa | — |
Both the Series D and Series E ¥10,000 notes feature Fukuzawa Yukichi on the front. The reverse makes them easier to distinguish: the Series D note shows pheasants, while the Series E note shows a phoenix statue. According to the National Printing Bureau, the front of the Series E ¥10,000 note includes a hologram, while the Series D note does not.
Do not determine whether a banknote is genuine from only one part of its design. An older design or a different serial-number color does not by itself indicate a counterfeit. If you find a suspicious Bank of Japan note, do not use it. Report it immediately to the nearest police station or a head office or branch of the Bank of Japan.
Can Series D Banknotes Still Be Used in Shops and Convenience Stores?
Series D notes remain valid, so an older design alone does not make them worthless. However, payment may not proceed smoothly if store staff cannot verify the note or if an automated change dispenser, ticket machine or other equipment does not support that denomination.
When a store receives a Series D note, the following process can help reduce confusion.
Confirm the denomination against official information
Compare it with the Bank of Japan’s list of valid banknotes or the National Printing Bureau’s banknote information. Do not make a decision based only on the impression that a note looks old.
Follow the store’s acceptance procedures
Define in advance when staff should ask a supervisor, what should be recorded manually and how to handle notes that a machine does not accept.
Do not use suspicious Bank of Japan notes; report them immediately
If you find a suspicious Bank of Japan note, do not use it. Report it immediately to the nearest police station or a head office or branch of the Bank of Japan.
Can an ATM or Banknote Counter Reject a Series D Note?
Yes. A banknote’s legal validity and a machine’s supported denominations are separate matters. ATMs, self-service payment machines, ticket machines and banknote counters support different denominations depending on the model and operating settings. The physical condition of a note—including folds, creases, tears and stains—can also affect recognition or transport through the machine.
A note rejected by a machine therefore cannot be classified as invalid or counterfeit on that basis alone. If your operation needs to process Series D notes by machine, check the user manual, supported denominations and software information, and contact the manufacturer or supplier when necessary.
5 Points to Check Before Processing Series D Notes with a Banknote Counter
Some banknote counters only count the number of notes, while others recognize denominations and display the quantity by denomination and total value. The checks you need to make depend on the required output.
Do you need piece counting or denomination recognition?
Decide whether you will sort notes of the same denomination and count pieces only, or mix different denominations and calculate the total value. Select the machine according to the required result, not just its product category.
Which Series D denominations will you process?
Clarify whether you need to process only the Series D ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes or the ¥2,000 note as well. The general description “supports old banknotes” is not enough to establish the exact scope of support.
Will Series D notes be mixed with Series E and F notes?
Confirm whether Series D notes will be counted separately or loaded together with Series E and F notes. Also specify the information the machine must display and how rejected notes should be handled during mixed-denomination processing.
How are unreadable notes handled?
Check whether counting stops when the machine cannot accept a note, whether the note is directed to a separate pocket and what staff need to verify manually.
Verify the model, software and actual banknotes
Compatibility must be checked for the specific model and software configuration. If processing Series D notes is essential to your operation, specify the denominations before purchase and, where possible, ask how compatibility can be verified using actual notes.
“We handle Series D ¥10,000, ¥5,000, ¥1,000 and ¥2,000 notes. We need to load them together with Series E and F notes and check both the quantity by denomination and the total value. Which models support this workflow, and what settings are required?”
Series D support in MORICASH products: This article does not make a blanket claim that every model can recognize and sort Series D notes. Supported denominations, counting modes, reject behavior and software requirements must be checked for each model. When contacting us, please tell us which Series D denominations you handle and what output your operation requires.
Frequently Asked Questions About Series D Banknotes
When were Series D banknotes first issued?
The Series D ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes were first issued on November 1, 1984. The Series D ¥2,000 note was first issued on July 19, 2000.
Do “Series D banknotes” and “D notes” mean the same thing?
Both terms are used to refer to Bank of Japan notes from Series D. The National Printing Bureau uses the designation “Series D banknotes.”
Can Series D banknotes still be used?
Yes. Series D notes remain valid. On its official website, the Bank of Japan lists valid banknotes, including denominations that are no longer being issued. The Series D ¥2,000 note is still being issued.
Can Series D notes be deposited at an ATM?
ATM support varies by financial institution and machine model. If an ATM does not accept a note, that alone does not mean the note is invalid. Check with the financial institution that operates the ATM.
Is a Series D note rejected by a banknote counter counterfeit?
Rejection alone is not enough to make that determination. Possible causes include an unsupported denomination, machine settings, folds or stains on the note. If you find a suspicious Bank of Japan note, do not use it. Report it immediately to the nearest police station or a head office or branch of the Bank of Japan.
Official Sources
- National Printing Bureau: “Basic Information About Banknotes”
- Bank of Japan: “Can Old Banknotes Still Be Used?”
- Bank of Japan: “Japanese Currency—Banknotes and Coins Currently Valid”
- Bank of Japan: “What to Do If You Have a Banknote That May Be Counterfeit”
Ask Us About Processing Series D Banknotes
If you need to process Series D notes, tell us which denominations you handle, whether they will be mixed with Series E and F notes, whether you need piece counting or totals by denomination, and how you plan to use the machine. We will review the scope of support for suitable models before making a recommendation.
