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Japanese government ID card now mandatory for select Карточки с изображением покемонов purchases. Will scalpers finally be curbed?
Карточки с изображением покемонов purchases in Japan now require a government ID and app, aiming to block scalpers but raising concerns for fans and tourists alike.
Pokémon Card Scalping: A Crisis for Fans
There’s a new wall going up between Pokémon fans and their beloved trading cards—and this time, it’s not just a queue outside the shop. Starting next month, buying certain Pokémon cards online in Japan will require an official government-issued ID and registration with a digital identification app. The goal? To stop scalpers in their tracks. But is this approach really super effective, or will it end up as just another HM move nobody actually uses?
Pokémon Cards: More Than Just a Game
Sliding into the Pokémon Card Game universe is a bit like walking into a bustling convention hall. You’re surrounded by hardcore competitive players, casual collectors who just want their favorite Pikachu art, anime and game fans peeking in from the sidelines, and, of course, the youngest crowd—kids who just love the creatures, rules be damned.
But lately, a shadowy presence has been dominating the conversation: scalpers. Unless you’re willing to camp out before sunrise or drop everything the moment fresh stock lands, snagging new packs has become nearly impossible. The moment they hit shelves, they vanish—only to reappear online at prices that would make even Giovanni blush.
A New Tactic: Government ID Required
The Pokémon Company has had enough. Their latest move is bold: if you want to buy certain Pokémon cards from the official Pokémon Center online store, you’ll need both a Japanese government-issued My Number card and the Digital Identification App.
“Thank you for your love and support of the Pokémon Card Game. As part of our efforts to provide fair opportunities for all customers and safe, secure, and enjoyable services, we are currently proceeding with preparations to implement an identification system that uses the My Number Card…This identification system will make use of the Digital Agency’s Digital Identification App.”
— Pokémon Card Game Official Statement
How the Digital Identification Works
Here’s where things get technical, but stick with me—it’s simpler than you’d think. The app, released by Japan’s Digital Agency, links to your My Number card (a government ID issued since 2016). You download the app, scan your card using your smartphone, and, voilà, you’re registered to buy (or attempt to buy) those elusive booster packs.
The logic is straightforward: previous attempts to limit bulk buying based on names, addresses, or even credit cards could be easily sidestepped. False names, multiple cards, shipping to offices—scalpers always found a loophole. But the My Number card is unique to each resident. Unless someone drags a friend or relative into their scheme, one person can’t just create a second identity out of thin air.
Will This Stop Pokémon Card Scalping?
The hope is that this digital barrier will slow, if not stop, bulk buying by scalpers. No more one-person buying sprees using stacks of cards or fake addresses. With government-level ID required, it’s a much tougher gate to crash.
But now, a twinge of uncertainty hits: could this system end up shutting out more than just scalpers?
Who Gets Left Out? The New Barriers
Here’s the snag: My Number cards are available only to residents of Japan—both citizens and registered foreign residents. That means tourists, who might want a unique Japanese Pokémon card as a souvenir, are out of luck. It also means kids under 15 can’t get in on the action, since they’re usually not eligible for a My Number card.
At first, I figured this exclusion was just an unfortunate side effect. But thinking it through, it might actually be intentional. Foreign scalpers are widely considered to be a big part of the problem. Since the cards are printed in Japanese, it’s rare for overseas buyers to actually use them in local games—the assumption is they’re resold abroad at a markup. As for kids, while they can’t have their own My Number card or typically a credit card, any online Pokémon Center purchase would require a parent’s help anyway. So, a parent’s ID can be used for their order.
Not Every Fan Has a My Number Card
But what about Japanese residents who simply haven’t gotten around to picking up their My Number card? Or those who don’t want a government app on their phone for privacy reasons? While every adult resident has been assigned a number, not everyone has picked up the official plastic card. Some use other IDs like student cards, health insurance, or foreign resident cards—but none of those work with the Digital Identification App.
So, there’s a real risk that genuine fans—especially those with privacy or tech concerns—will be left out. That’s a pretty steep price, and I have to admit, it feels a bit heavy-handed. I was initially all for the crackdown, but now I wonder if the collateral damage might be too much.
What About the Rest of the Pokémon Center?
And here’s another curveball: the Pokémon Center Online doesn’t just sell cards. It’s a treasure trove of plushies, toys, and all manner of collectible knickknacks. Some of these become hot targets for scalpers, too. If this ID system works for cards, will it eventually get rolled out for the rest of the store’s goodies? Will a kid visiting Japan have to skip that limited-edition plushie because they don’t have a My Number card?
It’s not totally far-fetched. The technology is there, and the precedent is about to be set. Could we see a future where even in-person shoppers at Pokémon Center superstores are required to flash government ID via their phones before buying a Charizard plushie? The thought is a little unsettling.
For Now: Limited to Cards and Events
At least for now, the Digital Identification App system only applies to select Pokémon Card Game purchases online and for registering at certain events—likely those with exclusive card giveaways. The key word is “for now.” I hope it stays that way, because the idea of locking out legitimate, excited fans—especially foreign visitors or privacy-conscious locals—from the full Pokémon Center experience feels like a step too far.
But perhaps that’s the price of progress. I certainly see the need to rein in the scalpers, and maybe there’s no perfect solution. I just hope the pendulum doesn’t swing all the way to the other extreme.
Заключение
Pokémon card scalping has forced the community’s hand, and now Japan’s government-level ID system is being called in as backup. Will it finally give real fans a fair shot, or will it simply lock out too many would-be trainers? The answer isn’t clear yet, but it’s a move that signals just how big the Pokémon Card Game—and the fight to keep it fair—has become.
ЧАСТО ЗАДАВАЕМЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ
- How does the government ID requirement for Pokémon cards work?
Buyers need a Japanese My Number card and the Digital Identification App to verify their identity when purchasing selected Pokémon cards online. - Who can get a My Number card in Japan?
Both Japanese citizens and foreign residents can apply, but tourists and most children under 15 are not eligible. - Is this system only for Pokémon cards?
Currently, yes. The requirement is limited to select Pokémon Card Game items and some event registrations, but there’s concern it could expand. - Why are tourists and kids excluded from buying these cards?
The system is designed to block scalpers, many of whom are believed to be non-residents. Kids under 15 generally lack both the required ID and a credit card. - Could this government ID system be used for other Pokémon Center merch?
At the moment, it’s only for cards and events. However, the technology could theoretically be expanded to other merchandise in the future.
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