The government has begun preparations to issue a variety of commemorative coins for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, with the first eyed for release just after the end of the 2016 Games in Brazil, a government source said Tuesday.
The Finance Ministry will work out details such as coin specifications and issue timings after consulting with the International Olympic Committee and the organizing committee for Tokyo 2020, according to the source. Coin designs could be solicited from the public, the source added.
Brazil is planning to issue a total of 36 coins for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. For the 2012 London Olympics, “countdown” coins were minted each year beginning in 2009 in the run-up to the Games.
Some Japanese officials are said to be calling for issuing many varieties, like Brazil.
When Japan hosted the 1964 Games in Tokyo, a ¥1,000 silver coin featuring Mount Fuji and a ¥100 silver coin with a design of the Olympic cauldron were issued.
Japan has issued commemorative coins on various occasions, including the World Cup it hosted with South Korea in 2002 and the 50th anniversary of the shinkansen service in 2014.