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Bandai looking to introduce Japanese government ID checks for admission to card game events
- Casey Baseel
Aug 8, 2026 - Tweet
Don’t have a My Number Card from the Japanese government? You might not be getting into some events for One Piece or other Bandai trading card games.
- Japan
- (anime • Bandai • Bandai Card Games • card games • COK • collectible card games • manga • My Number Card • One Piece • One Piece Card Game • resellers • scalpers • trading cards)
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
- Casey Baseel
Aug 5, 2026
Fans will need to be residents of Japan in order to buy these items from the Pokémon Center Online.
- Japan
- (anime • card games • collectible card games • manga • My Number Card • Pokemon • Pokémon card game • pokemon cards • Pokémon Center Online • Pokémon Company • resellers • scalpers • trading cards)
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
- Casey Baseel
Jul 27, 2026
Gotta scan ‘em all if they want to get in.
- Japan
- (anime • manga • Pokemon • Pokémon Card Store • pokemon cards • resellers • scalpers • trading card games • trading cards)
Japanese government sets up new group to deal with trading card boom
- Oona McGee
Jul 22, 2026
Trading cards have become so popular in Japan that the government is now getting involved, but what does this mean for fans?
- Japan
- (anime • card games • collectible card games • manga • My Number Card • news • Pokemon • Pokémon card game • pokemon cards • Pokémon Center Online • Pokémon Company • resellers • scalpers • trading cards)
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
- Casey Baseel
Jul 14, 2026
The Pokémon Company is going to use the Japanese government’s My Number system. Will it be super effective in stopping scalpers?
- Japan
- (anime • card games • collectible card games • manga • My Number Card • Pokemon • Pokémon card game • pokemon cards • Pokémon Center Online • Pokémon Company • resellers • scalpers • trading cards)
Pokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases
- Casey Baseel
May 22, 2026
New system would prevent non-residents from buying certain items from Pokémon Center Online.
- Japan
- (anime • card games • collectible card games • manga • My Number Card • Pokemon • Pokémon card game • pokemon cards • Pokémon Center Online • Pokémon Company • resellers • scalpers • trading cards)
Here are four ways McDonald’s Japan could combat scalpers after its Pokémon Happy Meal fiasco
- Casey Baseel
Aug 23, 2025
Maybe rewarding scalpers just for ordering a Happy Meal is part of the problem.
- Japan
- (anime • card games • COK • fast food • food • Happy Meals • Happy Set • manga • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • Pikachu • Pokemon • pokemon trading card game • resellers • scalpers • SNO • trading cards)
One Piece Happy Meals indefinitely postponed as McDonald’s Japan battles scalpers
- Casey Baseel
Aug 21, 2025
One Piece Card Game Happy Meals hadn’t even been formally announced yet, were supposed to debut in less than 10 days.
- Japan
- (card games • COK • collectible card games • fast food • food • Happy Meals • Happy Set • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • One Piece • One Piece Card Game • resellers • scalpers • trading cards)
McDonald’s Japan vs. Pokémon Happy Meal Resellers – New purchase restrictions announced
- Casey Baseel
Aug 14, 2025
With new Pokémon toys on the way, McDonald’s is trying to get ahead of the problems being caused by speculative scalpers.
- Japan
- (anime • card games • fast food • food • hamburgers • Happy Meals • Happy Set • manga • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • Pikachu • Pokemon • pokemon trading card game • resellers • scalpers • trading cards)
McDonald’s Japan issues official apology over Pokémon Happy Meal reseller problems
- Casey Baseel
Aug 13, 2025
Refusal of sales and mobile app account bans to be implemented, following latest case of speculators spoiling fun for fans and upsetting regular customers.
- Japan
- (anime • card games • fast food • food • hamburgers • Happy Meals • Happy Set • manga • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • Pikachu • Pokemon • pokemon trading card game • resellers • scalpers • trading cards)
Pokémon Happy Meal trading cards cause chaos at McDonald’s branches in Japan
- Oona McGee
Aug 12, 2025
The Pokémon card battle at McDonald’s was tougher than anyone anticipated.
- Japan
- (anime • card games • fast food • food • hamburgers • Happy Meals • Happy Set • manga • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • Pikachu • Pokemon • pokemon trading card game • SNJO • trading cards)
Pokémon Happy Meal toys appear at McDonald’s in Japan
- Oona McGee
Aug 9, 2025
This wild event runs for a limited time, with special surprises for customers.
- Japan
- (anime • card games • fast food • food • hamburgers • Happy Meals • Happy Set • manga • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • Pikachu • Pokemon • pokemon trading card game • SNJO • trading cards)
McDonald’s Japan announces Pokémon Trading Card Happy Meals with guaranteed Pikachus
- Casey Baseel
Jul 16, 2025
You don’t need to specifically choose Pikachu, because it’s a promise that he’ll be in your Happy Meal.
- Japan
- (anime • card games • fast food • food • hamburgers • Happy Meals • Happy Set • manga • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • Pikachu • Pokemon • pokemon trading card game • trading cards)
Japan’s new trading card game hit has pictures of real-life middle-aged men on every card【Video】
- Casey Baseel
Mar 21, 2025
“Ojisan trading card game” brings smiles to young and old in Fukuoka town.
- Japan
- (card games • collectible card games • collectible cards • crazy • funny • moving • society • touching • trading card games • trading cards • video • weird)
Thieves invade Osaka office and steal 10 million yen worth of trading cards
- Casey Baseel
Sep 10, 2024
“Which are da expensive ones?”
- Japan
- (COK • collectible card games • collectible cards • crime • theft • trading cards)
U.S. Olympic athlete reveals he runs with Yi-Gi-Oh! cards tucked into his uniform【Video】
- Casey Baseel
Jun 25, 2024
Fleet of foot and with the heart of the cards, he may be the fastest otaku in the world.
- Japan, USA
- (2024 Olympics • 2024 Summer Olympics • anime • collectible card games • collectible cards • manga • Olympics • otaku • sports • trading card games • trading cards • video • Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Foreign residents of Japan prohibited from participating in Yu-Gi-Oh Japan Championship
- Casey Baseel
Apr 1, 2024
Heart of the cards isn’t beating for legal foreign residents of Japan, apparently.
- Japan
- (anime • collectible card games • foreigners in Japan • manga • trading card games • trading cards • Yu-Gi-Oh World Championship • Yu-Gi-Oh World Championship 2024 • Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Tokyo police arrest two men for theft of 4.98 million-yen Yu-Gi-Oh! card
- Casey Baseel
Mar 23, 2024
The Heart of the Cards had the law on its side.
- Japan
- (Akihabara • card games • COK • collectible cards • collectible trading card games • crime • robbery • theft • trading cards • Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Japanese popcorn comes with collectible cards of women who own traditional ryokan inns【Photos】
- Casey Baseel
Oct 7, 2023
Okami Cards hope to encourage people to put Ibaraki Prefecture on their itinerary.
- Japan
- (collectible cards • food • Frito-Lay • Ibaraki • inns • Mike popcorn • Okami • popcorn • ryokan • snacks • trading cards • travel)
A beginner’s guide on how to keep your favorite trading cards in mint condition
- Krista Rogers
Jul 12, 2023
Tips for protecting cards from a new Pokémon collector.
- Japan
- (collectible • display • Maro • Pokemon • pokemon cards • protective • trading cards)
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MOST POPULAR
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Make-your-own-Totoro plushie workshop event coming to Ghibli Park park this fall
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Weekly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Japan’s first-ever conveyor-belt Sushi Bus announces Tokyo tour start date, reservations now open- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Foreign tourists get free Shinkansen tickets in Japan, and here’s how to claim them
Starbucks Japan says sayonara to the Filone for new sandwiches and a Pumpkin Soupuccino
Toys R Us is leaving Japan after 35 years in the country
Casio collaborates with a Kyoto foil master for a luxurious one million yen G-SHOCK- Make-your-own-Totoro plushie workshop event coming to Ghibli Park park this fall
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Monthly
- Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods- Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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RECOMMENDED STORIES
One of Japan’s best convenience store egg sandwiches is one you won’t find at the big three chains
Yogurt and Japanese koji fungus is Japan’s latest food trend, but how does it taste? [Taste test]
Sendai Bank gifts babies their weight at birth in money upon opening a new bank account
Tokyo no-map-app walk! Getting lost with Mr. Sato on the way to Kishimojin
Viral Yokohama cafe tops teas with mini teapots with a clever smoldering secret [Photos]
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Nissin takes the lid off its first-ever Cup Noodle Point Program for you to win fun prizes
Cuddly starry night Totoro and other Ghibli blankets set to keep you cozy in chilly months ahead
Foreign tourist numbers drop in Osaka, despite record-setting highs from U.S. and Korea
Starbucks Japan says sayonara to the Filone for new sandwiches and a Pumpkin Soupuccino
McDonald’s Japan officially changes its mascot’s name…to Ronald McDonald
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Casio collaborates with a Kyoto foil master for a luxurious one million yen G-SHOCK
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
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