First Copper Coin Minting in Japan

On 29/08/708 CE, Japan issued its first official government-minted copper coins, known as Wadōkaichin (or Wadō-kaichin). This development took place during the Nara period under the authority of the imperial court and marked the introduction of a formal monetary system influenced by Chinese models. The coins were produced following the discovery of copper deposits in Musashi Province, which provided the raw material needed for minting. The name “Wadōkaichin” combines references to Japanese copper (“Wa-dō”) and the concept of circulating currency. The coins were round with a square hole in the center, a design pattern that mirrored coinage used in Tang China. The introduction of Wadōkaichin formed part of broader administrative and economic reforms aimed at strengthening centralized governance. The government encouraged the use of coinage for taxation and trade, though barter and rice-based exchange systems continued to exist alongside it. Over time, the use of coins expanded, contributing to the development of a more structured economy. This event represents one of the earliest known instances of state-issued currency in Japan and reflects the influence of continental systems on Japanese economic organization during the early 8th century.