The Pokémon Company will begin using Japan's government-issued My Number Card as an identity verification method for select Pokémon Trading Card Game (Pokémon TCG) sales and event registrations starting in August 2026.
The move applies to priority lottery products, certain item sales through Pokémon Center Online, and registration for official events and tournaments held in Japan.
Background and scope
The Pokémon TCG is a major arm of the Pokémon franchise, which also includes video game releases on Nintendo platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and digital storefront activity promoted through channels like Nintendo Direct and the eShop.
The new My Number Card verification initiative is focused specifically on physical product distribution and event access in Japan, not on Nintendo Switch game purchases or digital storefronts.
Implementation details
The Pokémon Company said the system will scan My Number Cards using smartphones via an external service.
The company emphasized it will not collect or store the individual My Number on each card.
Because My Number Cards are optional for Japanese residents, The Pokémon Company has advised fans who want guaranteed access to certain products or events to apply for a card; Japanese authorities typically process applications in about one to two months.
Official wording rewritten
In its statement, The Pokémon Company said the policy is intended to ensure customers have fair and safe opportunities to purchase products and participate in official events.
The statement did not explicitly use the term scalpers, but framed the measure as a way to protect equitable access for consumers.
Timeline and next steps
The initiative is scheduled to begin in August 2026 in Japan.
It will be applied to priority lottery distributions, designated Pokémon Center Online sales, and official tournament or event registration processes within the country.
Additional operational details, including the specific external verification provider and precise product lists, are expected to be clarified by The Pokémon Company ahead of the rollout.
This policy represents a direct, government-ID–based approach to access control for physical Pokémon TCG products and official events in Japan, while The Pokémon Company maintains that personal My Number identifiers will not be retained as part of the process.
The move applies to priority lottery products, certain item sales through Pokémon Center Online, and registration for official events and tournaments held in Japan.
Background and scope
The Pokémon TCG is a major arm of the Pokémon franchise, which also includes video game releases on Nintendo platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and digital storefront activity promoted through channels like Nintendo Direct and the eShop.
The new My Number Card verification initiative is focused specifically on physical product distribution and event access in Japan, not on Nintendo Switch game purchases or digital storefronts.
Implementation details
The Pokémon Company said the system will scan My Number Cards using smartphones via an external service.
The company emphasized it will not collect or store the individual My Number on each card.
Because My Number Cards are optional for Japanese residents, The Pokémon Company has advised fans who want guaranteed access to certain products or events to apply for a card; Japanese authorities typically process applications in about one to two months.
Official wording rewritten
In its statement, The Pokémon Company said the policy is intended to ensure customers have fair and safe opportunities to purchase products and participate in official events.
The statement did not explicitly use the term scalpers, but framed the measure as a way to protect equitable access for consumers.
Timeline and next steps
The initiative is scheduled to begin in August 2026 in Japan.
It will be applied to priority lottery distributions, designated Pokémon Center Online sales, and official tournament or event registration processes within the country.
Additional operational details, including the specific external verification provider and precise product lists, are expected to be clarified by The Pokémon Company ahead of the rollout.
This policy represents a direct, government-ID–based approach to access control for physical Pokémon TCG products and official events in Japan, while The Pokémon Company maintains that personal My Number identifiers will not be retained as part of the process.
