Pokémon Company Strikes Blow Against Scalpers With Facial Recognition Checks To ‘Prevent Crime’ At Card Stores In Japan

The Pokémon Company will add facial recognition checks at some Japanese Pokémon Card Stores to curb scalping and enforce entry and purchase rules.

The system will apply to customers in elementary school and older, and is meant to deter repeat visits and same-day abuse.

This follows an earlier move to use Japan’s My Number government ID for certain purchases and lottery entries.

The changes highlight how severe Pokémon card scalping has become in Japan and how retailers are tightening identity checks to protect stock.