Celebrating new currency featuring Shibasaburo Kitazato in his hometown. – Kirk

— start quote — In Oguni, Kumamoto Prefecture, a cash-exchange event took place at the Shibasaburo Kitazato Memorial Museum, which commemorates Shibasaburo Kitasato, a pioneer of Japanese modern medicine who was born in the town and is featured on the new ¥1,000 bill. “I’ve waited a long time for this,” local resident Eiji Anai, 73, said at the event. “It’s the best experience of my life. I won’t use the bill. I’ll put it in a frame and display it.” — end quote