LDP lawmakers create task force to boost Japan's trading card sector

Around 20 members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party have formed a group to support the fast-growing trading-card market and address issues like counterfeits and resale practices.

Lawmakers from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party have organized a 20-person group to promote the burgeoning trading-card industry and improve market integrity. Seiji Kihara, a member of the House of Representatives, was appointed chair and emphasized the sector’s potential to compete globally while fostering a healthy market. At the inaugural parliamentary meeting, representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and industry associations outlined current challenges, including counterfeit cards, bulk purchases for resale, and the use of card transactions for illicit financing.

The task force plans to develop rules that enhance transparency and support overseas expansion, noting that the domestic market reached about 338 billion yen in fiscal 2025, up from 88 billion yen in 2017. By establishing an industry-wide framework, the group hopes to move beyond ad-hoc retailer measures and address growing concerns over fraud and money-laundering.