2012, the counterfeit coins used were described as "extremely well crafted", again the perpetrators in another unrelated incident had used the fake 500 yen coins in ATM deposits. These high quality counterfeit coins were also realistic enough to trick the meters in coin-operated parking lots. In this incident the coins were thought to be connected to counterfeit Disney tickets which surfaced around the same time. The place of origin either places the counterfeit 500 yen coins in China or South Korea. In order to keep up with the anti-counterfeiting technology, 500 yen coins with enhanced features were released in November 2021. Counterfeiting currency as with other countries is a serious crime. In Japan, any person found guilty of knowingly using counterfeit currency is subject to imprisonment that ranges from three years to an "indefinite period". Circulation figures Shōwa The following are circulation dates which cover Emperor Hirohito's reign. The dates below correspond with the 57th to the 64th year (last) of his reign. Coins for this period will all begin with the Japanese symbol 昭和 (Shōwa). Japanese coins are read with a left to right format: "Emperors name" → "Number representing year of reign" → "Year" (Ex: 昭和 → 五十八 → 年). Heisei The following are circulation dates during the reign of Emperor Akihito. who was crowned in 1989. The dates below correspond with the 1st to the 31st year (last) of his reign. First year of reign coins are marked with a 元 symbol (first) as a one year type. Coins for this period all begin with the Japanese symbol 平成 (Heisei). Japanese coins are read with a left to right format: "Emperors name" → "Number representing year of reign" → "Year" (Ex: 平成 → 五 → 年). Reiwa The following are circulation dates in the reign of the current Emperor. Naruhito's accession to the Crysanthemum Throne took place on May 1, 2019 and he was formally enthroned on October 22, 2019. Coins for this period all begin with the Japanese symbol 令和 (Reiwa). The inaugural year coin (2019) was marked 元 (first) and debuted during the summer of that year. Japanese coins are read with a left to right format: "Emperors name" → "Number representing year of reign" → "Year" (Ex: 令和 → 二 → 年). Collecting Most 500 yen coins made for circulation are worth only their face value due to high mintage figures throughout their history.