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The Pokémon Company rolls out facial‑recognition at pop‑up card stores
The Pokémon Company will install facial‑recognition scanners in five temporary Pokémon Card Store pop‑up locations in Japan. The system becomes operational from 31 July to 16 August 2026 and will be used when customers aged six or older enter the stores and receive a numbered queue ticket. Children under six may enter only if accompanied by an adult.
Each shopper may enter only once per day and receive one ticket; the system blocks repeat entries and alerts staff if a customer tries to obtain multiple tickets. Facial‑data and visit logs are stored only as long as needed for security and anti‑scalping purposes and are then deleted. The measure follows an earlier anti‑scalping policy that used Japan’s My Number ID for online and in‑store purchases, and is aimed at curbing resale of limited‑edition Pokémon Trading Card Game products such as the Storm Emerald expansion.
Entities
AEON Mall Natori · Chofu PARCO · Japan · Pokémon Card Store · Pokémon TCG · Storm Emerald expansion · The Pokémon Company
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The facial‑recognition system will operate from July 31 to August 16 2026. geeksandgamers.com · www.pocketmonsters.net · www.animeclick.it · boundingintocomics.com · www.lowyat.net · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The system limits each customer to one entry per day and one numbered ticket; repeat attempts are denied. www.next-stage.fr · geeksandgamers.com · www.pocketmonsters.net · www.animeclick.it · boundingintocomics.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The facial‑recognition system applies only to the temporary Pokémon Card Store pop‑up locations and not to permanent Pokémon Center stores. www.next-stage.fr · geeksandgamers.com · www.pocketmonsters.net · www.animeclick.it · boundingintocomics.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Pokémon Company is implementing facial‑recognition scans for customers at five temporary pop‑up Pokémon Card Stores in Japan. www.next-stage.fr · geeksandgamers.com · www.pocketmonsters.net · www.animeclick.it · boundingintocomics.com · +3 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The facial‑recognition rollout follows an earlier anti‑scalping measure using Japan’s My Number ID to limit purchases and lottery entries for Pokémon TCG products. www.animeclick.it · boundingintocomics.com · www.lowyat.net · gonintendo.com · geeksandgamers.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Customers aged six years and older must undergo a facial scan to enter and receive a queue ticket; children under six are exempt but must be accompanied by an adult. www.next-stage.fr · geeksandgamers.com · www.pocketmonsters.net · www.animeclick.it · boundingintocomics.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Facial‑recognition data and visit logs will be retained only as long as necessary for security and anti‑scalping purposes and then deleted. www.next-stage.fr · geeksandgamers.com · www.pocketmonsters.net · www.animeclick.it · boundingintocomics.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The facial‑recognition measure is intended to curb scalping of Pokémon Trading Card Game products, especially the Storm Emerald expansion. www.next-stage.fr · geeksandgamers.com · www.pocketmonsters.net · www.animeclick.it · boundingintocomics.com · +3 more