Nintendo has publicly acknowledged the significant problem of scalping and high-priced reselling affecting the Pokémon Trading Card Game. During the company's latest annual shareholder meeting, President Shuntaro Furukawa addressed concerns about limited-quantity cards being purchased in bulk and subsequently resold at inflated prices.
Furukawa stated that both Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are aware of the issue and are implementing various strategies to combat it. Among these measures are made-to-order sales, which aim to increase supply based on demand, and agreements with marketplace operators to monitor reselling activities. For specific product releases that involve online priority drawings, The Pokémon Company also plans to introduce an account verification method utilizing Japan's My Number Cards, a form of official government identification.
While these initiatives, including the ID requirement in Japan, have been previously hinted at, it marks a significant step for Nintendo to address the problem at the shareholder level. However, Furukawa indicated that the primary responsibility for resolving these scalping issues lies with The Pokémon Company.
"Nintendo also communicates with The Pokémon Company as needed to discuss appropriate ways to deliver products to consumers," Furukawa explained. "We believe that The Pokémon Company will continue to take measures to respond to this issue."
This acknowledgment comes as collectors and players have faced increasing difficulties and costs in acquiring Pokémon TCG products due to the rampant scalping. The company's recognition of the problem, even if placed under The Pokémon Company's purview, suggests a potential for more proactive solutions to make collecting and playing the game more accessible.