Japan Mint

Japan Mint head office, Osaka

The Japan Mint (独立行政法人 造幣局 Dokuritsu Gyōsei Hōjin Zōheikyoku) is an Incorporated Administrative Agency of the Japanese government. This agency has its Head office in Osaka with branches in Tokyo and Hiroshima.

History

Amongst the first acts of the Meiji government was the establishment of the Imperial Japanese Mint as a constructive step towards modernising Japan's circulating currency. In the early Meiji era, paper currency was initially printed by Dondorf and Naumann in Germany.[1] The European production was inspected and sealed by Banknote Annex Office of the Ministry of Finance. A proposal to construct a banknote manufacturing plant was submitted to Grand Council of State in May, 1874; and construction was approved in December of that same year. A two-story Western red brick building was completed in October 1876.[2]

Over the course of decades, Mint activities have expanded to include the production of orders (decorations), medals of honor and metallic art objects, the analysis and testing of metal ores and minerals, and the fineness certification of precious metal wares (hallmarking).

The Mint became an Incorporated Administrative Agency on April 1, 2003.

Osaka Head Office

Tokyo Branch

Hiroshima Branch

Standards

Japan Mint has sought to bring its operations within an ambit proposed by the International Standard for Quality Management System (ISO).

See also

References

  1. Boling, Joseph E. "Building a National Currency -- Japan, 1868-1899," 1996.
  2. National Archives of Japan, Digital Gallery website: "[Drawings] Japan Mint"
  3. National Archives of Japan, Digital Gallery website: "Photograph of Osaka Mint Opening Ceremony"

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Japan Mint.

Coordinates: 34°41′48.6″N 135°31′16.3″E / 34.696833°N 135.521194°E