1円玉を11年ぶりに量産　造幣局　キャッシュレス全盛なのに…物価高で現金決済増える【知ってもっと】【グッド！モーニング】(2026年7月17日)

The Japan Mint has begun mass production of 1-yen coins for the first time in 11 years. With the rise of cashless payments, why mass production at this particular time? ■ Mass Production After 11 Years Japan Mint "We're mass-producing 1-yen coins for the first time in a long time!!!" The gleaming "1-yen coin." On the 14th, the Japan Mint posted on social media about the first mass production of "1-yen coins" in the Reiwa era. The post has been viewed over 13 million times and is generating a lot of buzz. Mother "I'd like to have one as a memento." Daughter "(Q. As someone who prefers cash?) I'm a little excited." This is the first production of 1-yen coins for circulation in 11 years, since fiscal year 2015. In 2014, 124.01 million coins were produced. For the following 10 years, approximately 500,000 coins were produced, but these were not for circulation; they were produced for collectors to be sold as part of coin sets. This fiscal year, the initial plan was to mass-produce 20 million coins, but in May, a significant increase to 132 million coins was decided. Why did they decide to mass-produce six times the initially planned amount? ■Demand has "leveled off" The Japan Mint has begun mass-producing 1-yen coins for the first time in 11 years. Ministry of Finance "The current number of coins in circulation has shifted to 'almost leveling off.' We recognize that there is steady demand, mainly from small transactions such as change." Demand for 1-yen coins, which had been steadily declining due to the rise of cashless payments, has now leveled off. One of the factors driving mass production is the increase in stores that only accept cash payments due to rising prices. There is a movement to eliminate cashless payment fees and keep prices low, which is increasing demand for 1-yen coins. Company Manager "I happened to be at a cafe and they said the Wi-Fi was acting up, so my credit card would take a while to process, and I ended up paying with cash, which is why I have some change now." Employee "Cash is essential, isn't it?" Mint Bureau "You might receive a brand-new, shiny 1-yen coin for the first time in a while. Please check it out." (From the broadcast on July 17, 2026) [TV Asahi NEWS] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp