Pokémon Company Takes Stand Against Scalpers with ID Checks for Card Purchases in Japan
The scalping crisis surrounding Pokémon cards in Japan has escalated to the point where The Pokémon Company is contemplating mandatory government ID checks before customers can purchase cards. In a statement on their official Japanese site, they revealed that players will need to use Japan’s My Number Cards to verify their Players Club accounts, even to enter the lottery systems currently in place for online card sales.
Beginning in August 2026, The Pokémon Company plans to implement a system where customers will utilize a third-party service to scan the chip embedded in their My Number Card—essentially a voluntary photo ID that also functions like a social security card—using a smartphone to authenticate their official Pokémon accounts. This process will involve the “User Authentication Electronic Certificate,” which won’t store the customer’s unique number, and will be necessary for purchasing specific TCG products from the Japanese Pokémon Center website and for entering tournaments held in Japan.
The company acknowledged that obtaining a My Number Card can take one to two months, urging customers who wish to continue participating in lotteries for PTCG products or tournaments starting in August to apply as soon as possible.
This situation is quite remarkable, even bordering on dystopian. The notion of needing to show government-issued ID to buy anything, especially something as seemingly trivial as collectible cards, is a stark contrast to attitudes in places like the United States. However, this is the extent to which The Pokémon Company is willing to go to combat the ongoing issue of scalpers, who continue to bypass existing systems, making it nearly impossible for genuine customers to purchase cards in many regions. The Pokémon Company describes this initiative as part of their commitment to providing all customers with equal opportunities and ensuring a safe and secure experience.
Despite promises to significantly boost production over the past year, little progress has been made. Meanwhile, independent card shops have been largely sidelined as larger retail chains capitalize on the current demand. When even the official site struggles to meet demand, it’s clear that more stringent measures alone won’t resolve the issue.
It’s also puzzling why live tournaments would require the same level of ID verification, especially since scalping isn’t a factor in those events. Could this be a response to recent player backlash at tournaments?
Such measures would likely be unthinkable in the U.S., where showing ID for a purchase can be a contentious issue. However, it might be beneficial for international Pokémon Center websites to adopt the lottery system used in Japan. Currently, the process resembles a chaotic free-for-all, with many users facing endless queues that only end when the products are sold out.
