The Evolution and Explosion of the Trading Card Market

The trading card market has seen a whirlwind of changes since its inception. A recent sale of a Pokémon card for 2 billion yen has reignited global interest in this niche market. According to the Japan Toy Association, Japan’s trading card game market expanded dramatically in 2022, reaching a staggering 2,348 billion yen, accounting for a quarter of the overall toy market worth 9,525 billion yen. Pokémon cards, with their rare “レアカード” or “rare cards,” have become standout performers, drawing high prices and ensuring robust sales growth.

For many, it might be surprising to learn that the origin of trading cards can be traced back to late 19th-century America. They began as ‘bonus’ cards in cigarette packs. MINT LAB TOKYO, a specialized trading card shop in Tokyo, offers a window into this fascinating world. A signed exchange card of Shohei Otani from his stint with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters is priced at a million yen. The store manager, Ryoichi Tamura, shared, “After the American Civil War, the first cards were inserted into cigarette packs as bonuses.” This tradition is still showcased at Tokyo’s “Tobacco and Salt Museum”, where these ‘cigarette cards’ feature beautiful illustrations of women, soldiers, animals, and vehicles. Aki Ryo, a guide at the museum, explains, “Cigarettes back then were prone to breaking. So, strengthening cards were…