Japan's Pokemon Card Stores Implement Facial Recognition to Combat Resale

Five official Pokemon card stores across Japan have begun implementing a facial recognition system as a measure against the growing problem of scalping and resale of collectible cards. The system has been rolled out in stores located in Miyagi, Tokyo, Aichi, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka. All adult customers and children in third grade or above are required to undergo facial recognition upon entry.

The Pokemon Company announced the initiative on its official website on July 24. The company stated that the system is intended to provide a safe and secure shopping environment for all customers. Under the new policy, each customer is limited to one visit per day to any of these stores. If the facial recognition system detects someone attempting to enter the store multiple times in a single day, a notification will be displayed on a screen.

All customers must agree to the facial recognition rules and receive an entry number before entering the store. Customers who need to leave the store temporarily, such as for a restroom break, must inform a staff member.

While the official statement emphasizes creating a comfortable shopping environment, the policy is widely seen as a direct response to rampant scalping of Pokemon cards. The move aims to ensure that regular fans and collectors have a fairer chance to purchase the popular items.