The The Pokémon Company is considering introducing strict identity verification rules in Japan as it battles growing problems caused by scalpers buying up Pokémon cards for resale profits.
Under the proposed system, customers purchasing selected Pokémon Trading Card Game products online may soon be required to verify their identity using Japan’s official My Number Card system.
The move comes after years of frustration among genuine fans struggling to buy limited-edition Pokémon cards due to resellers rapidly snapping up stock and reselling products at inflated prices.
In recent years, Japanese stores have already experimented with unusual anti-scalping methods, including making buyers answer Pokémon quizzes before purchasing products or even cutting open packaging after sales to reduce resale value.
Now, however, the Pokémon Company appears ready to take its toughest step yet.
According to an announcement posted on the official Pokémon Trading Card Game website, the company is exploring the use of My Number Cards — government-issued identification cards introduced in Japan in 2016.
The cards contain personal information including a user’s name, address, birth date, photograph and a unique identification number.
Newer versions of the cards also contain IC chip technology, which the Pokémon Company plans to use for digital identity verification through the Pokémon Center Online.
Under the proposed system, buyers would use a third-party verification service to scan the IC chip on their My Number Card before being allowed to purchase certain products or enter online lottery systems for highly sought-after items.
The company said the measure is intended to ensure “fair opportunities” and safer services for legitimate customers.
The verification system is expected to apply mainly to newly released or high-demand Pokémon card products that are commonly targeted by scalpers.
The Pokémon Company is also reportedly planning to introduce My Number verification requirements for certain official Pokémon Card Game tournaments held in Japan.
However, the proposed rules could also affect ordinary fans beyond just resellers.
My Number Cards are only issued to Japanese citizens and foreign residents living in Japan, meaning overseas buyers and tourists would be unable to participate under the system.
There is also a portion of Japan’s population that still does not own a My Number Card, as obtaining one is not legally mandatory and requires a separate application process.
Some Japanese residents continue using alternative identification such as driving licences or insurance cards instead.
The proposed restrictions have already sparked debate online, with some fans supporting tougher anti-scalping measures while others worry the system could unfairly limit access for genuine collectors.
According to reports, the Pokémon Company hopes to roll out the system as early as August, prompting some fans in Japan to begin applying for My Number Cards before the changes potentially take effect.
