By Dexerto | Created at 2026-07-22 13:26:44 | Updated at 2026-08-05 04:12:53
1 week ago
Japan’s government is creating a special team to tackle ongoing scalping and counterfeits issues impacting Pokemon cards and other popular TCGs.
According to Kyodo News, lawmakers from Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party are preparing to launch a parliamentary group focused on the country’s rapidly growing trading card industry.
The group will hold its first meeting on July 23, where lawmakers will hear from industry organizations and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry about the biggest issues facing collectors, stores and card companies.
Japanese gov begins anti-scalping crackdown
Popular trading card games like Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! have become hugely popular in Japan and overseas, with rare cards selling for thousands of dollars. Cards like Logan Paul’s ultra-rare PSA 10-graded Pikachu Illustrator even broke a Guinness World Record, after it sold for an eye-watering $16.4 million.
With the chance to get your hands on life-changing amounts of money, the trading card game has become an investment just as much as it is a hobby. However, this has led to ongoing issues surrounding scalping, counterfeit cards, and even thefts.
On April 8, two brothers went viral after pleading guilty to stealing Pokemon cards worth $95k in a double heist, while a free Pokemon card event in South Korea was cancelled after an estimated 40,000 fans flooded an event in Seoul.
Pexels Even Umamusume trading cards have been hit with hefty resale prices, much to the anger and surprise of fans. As you can imagine, the extortionate resale prices and scalping issues make it incredibly difficult for fans who enjoy collecting or playing.
To help counter these issues, lawmakers in Japan will discuss possible rules to make trading card transactions safer and more transparent. The government-based group will also look at bulk buying, resale practices and the possible use of expensive cards for money laundering in its ongoing crackdown.
After all, Japan’s Toy Association revealed the trading card game market reached around ¥338.4 billion (around $2.3 billion) in 2025. So, lawmakers hope to support the industry’s continued growth outside Japan, while also tackling major issues that currently surround the market.
This news comes shortly after The Pokemon Company revealed that it was considering introducing government-issued ID checks for certain TCG and product sales to prevent scalpers and put products into the hands of fans.
