The Pokémon Company in Japan Fights Scalpers by Demanding Government ID Checks to Buy Cards

The Pokémon Company may require My Number Card verification for official account holders in Japan starting in August 2026.

The check would use a third-party chip scan before lottery entry for certain trading card products and before joining Japan-based tournaments.

The policy is meant to curb scalping and reseller abuse amid intense demand for Pokémon cards.

If adopted, it could become a precedent for stricter ID-based access controls in collectible sales and event participation.