40

JAPAN
Value

10 Yen
Issued by

(Nippon Ginko Da Kan Gin Ken / Bank of Japan)
Date

ND (1930)
Remark

Denomination on back in Japanese and English
for similar later notes with text on back in Japanese only see JAPAN P-51 & JAPAN P-56
Propaganda

In summer 1945, Japan was showered almost daily by aerial leaflets in such quantity that the Japanese people developed a kind of apathy against them. Another approach had therefore to be sought to attract attention again. The idea was to reproduce the face side of the then current 10-yen note and replace the back by a propaganda message. Who could resist money falling from the sky?
All counterfeit bills bear a brown circular seal on lower center on front instead of a red one, and the serial number 450941 and the block number 1124.
There are four different propaganda notes. All have the same front but with different messages on back.

 Wakeno Kiyomaro

 Goo shrine
40a

issued note

40z(1)

with propaganda message on back

40z(2)

with propaganda message on back

40z(3)

with propaganda message on back
The purpose of this message was to stir Japanese resentment against their government and to create fear of inflation.
Translation of the text on back:

In 1930, when the Gumbatsu (militarists) had not yet started the war in China, you could buy the following items for 10 yen:
* 25 sho (about 20 Kg) of good rice.
* Or material for 8 summer kimonos.
* Or 4 bags (50 Kg packages) of charcoal.

In 1937, after the start of the Occupation of China, you could buy the following for 10 yen:
* 25 sho of low grade rice.
* Or material for 5 summer kimonos.
* Or 2 bags of charcoal.

Today, after three years of hopeless warfare with the world's greatest powers, you can buy the following with 10 yen:
* 1/2 sho of good rice in the black market.
* Or a small amount of charcoal, if you can get it.
* Cotton material: nothing.

This is what your leaders call co-prosperity!
BACK TO JAPAN BACK TO ASIA BACK TO INDEX