McDonald's Japan's Pokemon card Happy Meals promotion comes to an unhappy end

Published: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 11:18 am

McDonald's Japan Halts Pokemon Card Promotion After Reselling Frenzy

TOKYO – McDonald's Japan has been forced to cancel its recent Happy Meal promotion featuring Pokemon cards after a surge in reselling activity led to significant food waste. The fast-food chain issued an apology Monday, acknowledging that its preparations for the campaign were insufficient.

The promotion, which included a toy and a Pokemon card with each Happy Meal (known as Happy Sets in Japan), proved incredibly popular. Reports indicate the meals sold out within a single day. However, the demand was driven not just by children, the intended recipients, but also by resellers eager to capitalize on the collectible cards. This resulted in customers purchasing large quantities of meals solely for the cards, discarding the food, and leaving significant amounts of waste near the restaurants.

McDonald's Japan stated that this situation contradicts its core values, which emphasize providing a positive dining experience for families. The company is now working to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. These include potential limits on the number of meals per customer and the possible elimination of online ordering for the promotion. McDonald's also indicated it may refuse service to customers who do not adhere to the new rules.

The company emphasized its commitment to the original purpose of the Happy Set: to bring joy to families and contribute to the healthy development of children. The popularity of Pokemon cards, which are collected by both children and adults, has led to some cards being resold for hundreds of dollars. The Happy Meals in Japan typically cost around $3.40.

BNN's Perspective:

This situation highlights the challenges businesses face when promotions designed for a specific demographic are exploited by others for profit. While the popularity of Pokemon cards is undeniable, McDonald's Japan's response is appropriate. The company's quick action to address the food waste issue and its commitment to refining the promotion to better serve its intended audience demonstrates a responsible approach. Finding a balance between capitalizing on popular trends and maintaining ethical practices is crucial for any business.

Keywords: McDonald's, Japan, Pokemon, Happy Meal, Happy Set, promotion, cards, reselling, food waste, cancellation, toy, children, families, online orders, customer service

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