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On November 1st, a new 500 yen coin went into circulation for the first time in 21 years. How far have you progressed with ticket vending machines at stations, cash registers at supermarkets, money changers, etc.? ◇ Q. A new 500 yen coin was issued today? A company employee in her 20s "I didn't know. I didn't know." A housewife in her 70s said, "I didn't know." However, when I asked about it in the shopping district, many people didn't even know it existed. The first 500 yen coin was issued in 1982. The design was changed in 2000, and this third generation is the first design change in 21 years. The main reason for the change is anti-counterfeiting. Various anti-counterfeiting technologies have been introduced, such as a technique called "deformed slanted serrations" in which the width and shape of the sides are partially changed, and "fine characters" that are almost invisible to the naked eye. This fiscal year, 200 million copies are scheduled to be issued, but people in the town have said something like this. A housewife in her 70s said, "It's inconvenient if there are places where you can't use the new 500-yen coin." Hidehiko Kojo, Manager, Sales Department, JR East "We have been working to make it compatible with most ticket vending machines." At JR East, many ticket vending machines are already compatible, and some ticket vending machines are not compatible. is to be changed sequentially. Tokyo Metro has refurbished the system so that it can handle the new 500-yen coin, one ticket vending machine and one fare adjustment machine at each corner of each station. Equipment that cannot be used has a sticker on the coin slot. In addition, it is said that convenience stores and major supermarkets have already renovated their cash registers so that they can handle the new 500-yen coin. However, at the supermarket in town... Super Izumi President Gomi Mae "It's hard because we have to change the software of this machine." is. Currently, they are asking the cashier to replace the software, but they say that it is a painful expense while being hit by Corona. Super Izumi President Gomi Mae "It's a tough time right now, but it's a little tough." Even at a coin laundry with over 100 stores nationwide...Reporter: "I'll put a new 500 yen coin in this washer/dryer. However, it will come back like this. Some of them, such as new washing machines, are compatible with the new 500 yen, but most are not yet compatible. OKULAB Marketing Department Manager Hajime Kaneko: "It's difficult to go (change) everything, but if customer demand is high or the distribution volume (new 500 yen) is increasing, we have to respond. No, we think we should deal with it.” The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Japan are arguing that the current 500-yen coins will continue to be usable even after the new coins are issued, and that the current 500-yen coins will no longer be usable. is calling attention to