Starting in 2026, the purchase of Pokémon cards in Japan is planned to require an identity verification system.
For collectors and tourists who want to buy Pokémon cards in Japan, this new rule is certainly something to pay attention to.
Popularity of Pokémon Cards in Japan
Pokémon cards, or the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), have become one of the most popular collectibles in Japan in recent years.
Their popularity has surged since 2020, driven by nostalgia, unboxing culture on social media, and the trend of trading card investment.
As a result, many new Pokémon TCG products sell out almost immediately and are resold at much higher prices on the resale market.
This situation has made it difficult for genuine collectors and Pokémon TCG players to obtain official products at regular prices. The use of bots and multiple accounts in lottery-based purchase systems has also become a major issue in Japan.
New Rule: Identity Verification for Purchases
To address scalping and bulk purchasing issues, The Pokémon Company has announced plans to implement an identity verification system using the My Number Card, Japan’s official identification card.
The system is targeted to be introduced around August 2026 for purchasing specific Pokémon TCG products via the Pokémon Center Online, as well as for certain official events and tournaments in Japan.
The verification process will work as follows:
- Prepare a My Number Card as official identification in Japan
- Scan the card using a smartphone with NFC/IC chip functionality
- The system verifies the user’s identity
- The identity is linked to a Pokémon Players Club account
- Verified accounts can be used for purchasing or entering lotteries for selected Pokémon TCG products
The concept is simple: one person, one account, and one purchase entry.
The Pokémon Company also stated that personal identification numbers will not be stored during the process.
Can Foreign Tourists Still Buy?
As of this writing, The Pokémon Company has not released full details on which products will be affected by this identity verification rule.
However, since the My Number Card is generally only issued to Japanese residents and long-term foreign residents with official residency records, foreign tourists may face limitations when purchasing certain Pokémon TCG products.
That said, the rule has not yet been confirmed to apply to all Pokémon products or all physical stores in Japan.
Tourists may still be able to purchase selected Pokémon merchandise and cards directly in stores, depending on each location’s policy.
