Japan: Latest Set Of Silver Proof And Colour Commemorative Coins Feature National Parks

On the occasion of the centenary anniversary of the establishment of Japan’s National Parks service, the numismatic collector series when complete will comprise 34 coins representing all national parks. Japan’s National parks are outstanding natural scenic areas and serve as the foundation for the conservation of biological diversity as well as enjoyment of unspoilt beauty. All thirty four parks are governed by the Natural Parks Act, and the year 2031 will mark the 100th anniversary of the enactment of its predecessor, the National Parks Act. Accordingly, the Ministry of the Environment have created opportunities to protect and enjoy national parks for all citizens and overseas visitors and to support these parks with admiration and responsibility during these last 100 years.

The coins are produced by the Mint of Japan at their facilities in Osaka on behalf of the Ministry of Japan. The obverse side of each coin includes a full colour design representing the featured National park with the text in Japanese 日 本 国 (Nippon koku) and the name of the park in both Japanese and English along the lower rim. The denomination 千 円 (1000 yen) is shown as part of the overall design. The reverse side is shared with each coin in the series and features the red and blue logo of the National Parks of Japan centred. This mark depicts the sun rising over the horizon. The colour shades express a hazy landscape and sunrise that is typical of Japan and concisely represents the national park as a free and open space that contains rich diversity. The text National Parks of Japan is placed above the logo in English. Along the upper rim is the commemorative text 国 立 公 園 制 度 100 年 (100 years of the national park system). Along the lower rim is the denomination 1000 YEN and 令 和 6 年 (Reiwa year 6) reflecting the 6^th year of Emperor Naruhito which commenced in 2019.

Coin 4 - Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Located on and around the Yaeyama Islands of the East China Sea,

Yaeyama District, Okinawa, the park was established in 1972 as Iriomote National Park and included the islands of Iriomote, Kohama, Kuro, and Taketomi. The design features a scenic spot of Ishigaki Island known as Kabira Bay and in front of the scene is an image of the Iriomote Wild Cat. They are a subspecies of the leopard that lives exclusively on the Japanese island of Iriomote and listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2008. Their population comprises fewer than 250 adult individuals. The text 西 表 石 垣 国 立 公 園 is placed below the illustration.

Coin 5 – Keramashoto National Park.  This beautiful location and park in the Shimajiri District, Okinawa is known for its white sands, turquoise seas, and sea turtles and sightings of humpback whales. Established in 2014, the park comprising more than 30 islets is a popular destination for snorkelling, wildlife watching and scuba diving. The design features a coral reef scene in the Kerama Blue Sea along with a Green Turtle, a species of large sea turtle found throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world. The text 慶 良 間 諸 島 国 立 公 園 is placed below the illustration.

Coin 6 - Yambaru National Park. A national park in Okinawa Prefecture and established in 2016, it is located in and around the forested region of Yambaru at the northern end of Okinawa Island. The design features the Hiji Great Falls which has a drop of about 26 metres. In front of the falls in an image of the Okinawa Rail, a species of bird in the Rallidae rail family. It is endemic to the Yanbaru region on Okinawa Island in Japan where it is also known as the Yanbaru kuina. The text や ん ば る 国 立 公 園 is placed below the illustration.

Each silver proof and colour coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity in Japanese and English text. Japan’s Ministry of Finance plan to issue between five and six National Parks coins over the next eight years with the series concluding in 2031 which coincides with the centenary anniversary of the establishment of the National Parks Act. Each coin in the series is available as a separate coin purchase. For additional information, please visit the webshop of the Mint of Japan.

Information and ordering commenced from the 20^th August with dispatch of the actual coins commencing in December.