Overview
- The Pokémon Company announced its proposal Thursday to require Japan’s My Number Card for certain online TCG lotteries, purchases on Pokémon Center Online, and entry to Japan-based tournaments as a way to limit reseller activity.
- Verification would use a third-party app to read the My Number chip and confirm the cardholder’s electronic User Authentication Certificate rather than collecting or storing the card’s unique ID number.
- The company says the check is intended to give all customers fairer chances to buy limited items and to make account-to-person links for lottery entries and tournament registration.
- If approved, the checks could begin in August 2026 and the company cautioned that applying for a My Number Card can take weeks so customers who want to participate should plan ahead.
- The move responds to sustained shortages, high resale prices, and complaints that production increases have not resolved demand, and it leaves open questions about practicality, tournament relevance, privacy handling through third parties, and any rollout beyond Japan.