In 2024, Japan will officially issue a new version of banknotes, with the characters on the maximum denomination of 10,000 yen replaced from Fukuzawa Yukichi to Shibuzawa Eiichi. This adjustment seems to be an ordinary currency renewal, but it is actually a concentrated projection of Japanese national values. The selection criteria of banknote portraits always revolve around the three principles of "worthy of national boasting to the world","widely recorded in textbooks" and "clear portraits conducive to anti-counterfeiting", reflecting the deep logic of Japan's self-identity.
Yukichi Fukuzawa, a man who opened the door in modern Japan, proposed a theory of withdrawing from Asia, which means that you should not stay in the old frame of Asia and go west. As soon as this was said, Japan followed this path after Meiji. He saw that China and North Korea were like bad friends and couldn't drag them along quickly. Japan advanced and retreated with the West, and modernization was only possible. After the Sino-Japanese War, Japan posed itself as an Asian mentor. This posture was quite long, and it did not completely change even after losing World War II. Russian expert Vasily Kashin said. Japan's enthusiasm for China has a psychological inertia that it has never lost, which is connected with Fukuzawa's thoughts.
New paper currency in exchange for Shizhou Yong, went another way, he called the father of Japanese capitalism, the first national bank he pulled up, made paper insurance steel these foundations he pushed, "thesis and calculator" talk to bind morality and money together, with hands and hearts together, and the Fuzhou set of rapid westernization has a complementary taste, this time the choice of the businessman does not choose the thinker, meaning to pay more attention to the realities that can set up the industry, propaganda to put back.
Looking at the replacement of Japanese paper money heads is a reflection of the changes in the country's mind. From Prince Seitoku to Fukuzawa to Shizawa, each change of face corresponds to an important matter in the stage. In ancient times, what was needed was the symbol of imperial power. In modern times, it is necessary to open the door to ventilate. Today, focusing on economic recovery and industrial upgrading, Japanese paper money has never used the statue of the Emperor. Instead, the people who pushed society forward. The political flavor has faded, and what the outside world sees is the appearance of a country based on technology.
The attitude towards China is in line with this selection logic. Japanese media said that when China's military power, it is often vigilant against blockade and responds without awe. This posture emphasizes that China does things well and relies on its own to stand firm. The autonomy and self-reliance on paper money are also present. Japan even recognizes that relying on its own efforts to gain Western acceptance is the path of not adapting to the pace of the Asian order. China's economic and military strength has been suppressed by Japan. Japan relies on the US-Japan alliance and technological accumulation, and its mentality remains at a confident frequency.
A paper currency is the size of a palm, but it holds the face of a country that wants to show the world. Japan uses paper currency characters to tell its citizens what is worthy of respect, not power, but the ability to change destiny. Faced with the rise of China, Japan will also adopt practical methods to move forward, not a single point of weakness or a hard touch. Shizawa Eiichi's eyes look out from 10,000 yuan, reminding the economic goals and the way an island country with tight resources can live. Use continuous self-renewal to offset geographical uncertainty.