This Japanese 10,000-yen represents Yukichi Fukuzawa. Fukuzawa is the only civilian represented on Japanese currency. During the late 1800s, he led the transition to introduce and incorporate Western culture into Japan’s society.

Question

This Japanese 10,000-yen represents Yukichi Fukuzawa. Fukuzawa is the only civilian represented on Japanese currency. During the late 1800s, he led the transition to introduce and incorporate Western culture into Japan’s society.

It is said that heaven does not create one man above or below another man. Any existing distinction between the wise and the stupid, between the rich and the poor, comes down to a matter of education.

These words are from Yukichi Fukuzawa's first essay to the general public in 1872, and signaled the start of a new system of beliefs for the Japan of the time. (Keio University, 2017, para. 2–3).

Keio University. (2018, March 21). A Brief Look into the Life of Keio Founder Yukichi Fukuzawa. Retrieved 3:11pm, March 21, 2018 from

What national values were the Japanese likely trying to convey by including a portrait of famous philosopher Yukichi Fukuzawa on the following piece of currency?

A. wisdom and education
B. power and prosperity
C. strength and endurance
D. peace and independence

Answer 1

A. wisdom and education. By including Yukichi Fukuzawa, who was known for advocating for the importance of education and introducing Western culture into Japanese society, the Japanese were likely trying to convey the national values of wisdom and education.