The Pokémon Company has teamed up with LINE Yahoo! to introduce new initiatives focused on fostering a fair playing field for Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) enthusiasts in Japan.
Starting October 13, Japanese e-commerce platforms Yahoo! Flea Market and Yahoo! Auctions will cease allowing listings of Pokémon TCG cards sold in bulk cartons, alongside listings of empty boxes and packs. Additionally, bulk listings of identical items will be restricted for a set duration following the debut of new Pokémon TCG products. This policy will initially impact the Pokémon Card Game 30th Celebration set (with the subsequent release, featuring Espeon ex and Umbreon ex Battle Decks, scheduled for October 23).
The Pokémon Company and LINE Yahoo! first established a cooperative agreement in July 2023, committing to collaborate on initiatives designed to ensure secure and safe trading card transactions. Since then, The Pokémon Company has furnished LINE Yahoo! with details on upcoming product launches and specifications, as well as reports of listings that violate its intellectual property rights. In response, LINE Yahoo! has issued cautions to its users and removed listings that breach its service terms and related policies.
After further deliberation, the two organizations have decided to enhance their information-sharing protocols and enact additional measures. Beyond the product and infringement data already shared, The Pokémon Company will now supply LINE Yahoo! with insights into secondary market products and distribution channels that may precipitate disputes or improper dealings. LINE Yahoo! will continue its efforts to uphold fair trading practices on its platforms, including the enforcement of the new listing constraints.