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Fukuzawa Yukichi, Meiji-era educator and reformer
A scholar who introduced Western ideas to Japan and founded 慶応義塾大学 (Keio University). Author of 学問のすすめ (An Encouragement of Learning), he was long the face of the 10,000-yen note, so his name became a slang word for a 10,000-yen bill.
His given name 諭吉 became casual slang for a ¥10,000 note, since his portrait appeared on it from 1984 to 2024.
Common expressions
Cultural note
He founded 慶応義塾大学, championed Western learning and individual independence during the Meiji era, and was the face of the ¥10,000 note for four decades before being replaced by 渋沢栄一 in the 2024 redesign.