For many people with visual impairments, going shopping can often be inconvenient due to the inability to clearly distinguish the denominations of banknotes when paying. However, Japan has decided to utilize the characteristic difference in texture between the anti-counterfeiting hologram transparent layer on banknotes and the overall feel of the paper, allowing smartphones to identify different denominations through photography. The app then informs users via voice which denomination they are currently photographing, though it does not have the ability to detect counterfeit bills.The Japanese Ministry of Finance recently announced that within this year, they will collaborate with the Bank of Japan and the National Printing Bureau to launch a free iPhone app capable of identifying four different denominations of Japanese banknotes. This initiative aims to assist visually impaired individuals in identifying banknotes, leveraging readily available IT technology to help create an accessible living space.After studying 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, and 1,000 yen banknotes, the Japanese authorities have decided to use the characteristic difference in texture between the anti-counterfeiting hologram transparent layer and the overall feel of the banknote paper, enabling smartphones to identify different denominations through photography. The app then informs users via voice which denomination they are currently photographing, though it does not have the ability to detect counterfeit bills.Currently, since the hologram transparent layers of 10,000 and 5,000 yen notes have the same dimensions and shape, the Japanese Ministry of Finance plans to increase the size of the transparent layer for the 5,000 yen note to differentiate them. As there is no modification to the size or printed patterns of the banknotes, this will not affect existing ATMs, bill validators, or other related equipment.This development is a policy derived from the consensus on strengthening social welfare by the current Japanese government cabinet. The Japanese Ministry of Finance also received assistance from Apple Inc. in the United States, obtaining technology capable of identifying US dollar banknotes. However, it is still in the experimental and developmental stage, and the exact time for the creation of this program depends on the timeline for modifying the banknote holograms and various related research and development phases.It is worth noting that apps that identify banknotes through the camera already exist in the App Store, but those were versions for identifying US dollars. This new plan by the Japanese government for yen will allow more visually impaired individuals to enjoy the happiness of a tech-driven life.