Pokemon is implementing mandatory facial recognition technology at five temporary Pokemon Trading Card Game stores across Japan. The measure is designed to regulate store access and enforce purchase limits during the launch window for the new Storm Emerald expansion.

Quick Facts

  • Event Dates: July 31, 2026, through August 16, 2026.
  • Locations: AEON Mall Natori, Chofu PARCO, AEON Mall Higashiura, AEON Mall Hiroshima Fuchu, and AEON Mall Chikushino.
  • Requirement: All shoppers of elementary-school age or older must consent to a facial scan to receive a queue ticket or enter the premises.
  • Entry Policy: Each person is limited to one entry and one queue ticket per day; repeat visits are automatically blocked by the system.

How the System Operates

The new protocol requires customers to submit to a facial scan before entering the store or collecting a numbered queue ticket. While the company has not explicitly labeled the system as an anti-scalping tool, the technology prevents repeat entries, a common tactic used to bypass purchasing restrictions on limited-stock items. Preschool children are exempt from the scan but must be accompanied by a guardian at all times.

Consent is a condition of entry. Customers who refuse the scan or decline the rules will be denied access to the store and the queue system. Furthermore, the stores require shoppers to notify staff if they intend to leave temporarily; exiting without confirmation results in the loss of re-entry privileges for the remainder of the day, regardless of whether a purchase was completed.

Data Privacy and Future Implementation

According to official notices, Pokemon will collect facial-image data and visit counts for all affected shoppers. This information will be stored securely for an unspecified period before deletion. The company stated that the implementation is intended to maintain a safe shopping environment and enforce rules fairly.

This initiative is currently limited to the five Storm Emerald pop-up locations. There are no announced plans to bring facial recognition to permanent Pokemon Center locations or stores outside of Japan. Additionally, Pokemon continues to consider separate proposals for identity checks—potentially involving "My Number" documentation—for future online sales and lotteries, though those measures have not yet been implemented as of late July 2026.