Believe it or not, the trees used to make Japanese banknotes are grown in the mountainous regions of Nepal, located 5,200 km away from Japan. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has disclosed that most of the Mitsumata, a shrub crucial for Japanese banknotes, is cultivated in Nepal.
Efforts by Osaka-based company Kanpou Inc have been instrumental in teaching Nepalese people how to cultivate and process Mitsumata. The fibres of Mitsumata are highly durable, making it a sought-after material for banknotes and traditional Japanese paper.
Kanpou President Matsubara Tadashi praised the quality of Mitsumata grown in Nepal, emphasizing its significance in producing Japan’s new banknotes. Despite the challenges faced in achieving stable production, Mitsumata from Nepal is now an indispensable component for Japanese banknote production.
JICA highlighted the collaborative efforts that led to the successful cultivation of Mitsumata in Nepal. Matsubara’s approach of using videos for training enabled locals to participate in the process easily, contributing to their income and creating new educational opportunities.
The project, initiated in 1990, witnessed substantial growth with an increase in annual Mitsumata output, meeting Japan’s demand for banknote paper. The involvement of JICA’s program further supported the sustainable production of Mitsumata in Nepal, benefiting both the local communities and Japan’s banknote industry.
