McDonald's Japan Enhances Restrictions on Purchasing Pokemon Happy Meals
In an effort to address the growing issue of resale and food waste, McDonald's Japan has announced stricter purchase limits for its Pokémon-themed Happy Set combo meals. The restrictions, which are in place from August 15th to 17th, are a temporary measure aimed at curbing unauthorized resales and reducing waste.
The move comes following a public backlash and an official apology from McDonald's Japan, as well as pressure from the Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency. The agency expressed displeasure at the company's handling of the promotion and urged them to revise sales methods to reduce waste.
For the second installment of the Happy Set meals, which launched on Friday and is based on the popular Japanese game and anime Pocket Monster, or Pokémon, McDonald's Japan will limit the purchase of combo meals with Pokémon toys to three per group. Orders for four or more Happy Set meals will not be accepted during the first three days of the promotion.
This tightening of restrictions is due to a rise in cases where people bought Happy Set meals for reselling the toys and cards. During the first campaign, a 5-meal-per-person purchase limit was set, but resellers bought large quantities mainly for the exclusive Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, leaving discarded meals and toys behind.
While the stricter controls are aimed at addressing the issue of reselling, public opinion suggests the measures may still be insufficient. Some advocates argue for even stricter one-set-per-customer rules to better prevent scalping and waste.
It is important to note that these restrictions only apply to the limited-edition Happy Set combo meals sold in Japan. Regular meals sold by McDonald's Japan are not affected by these restrictions.
In light of these developments, McDonald's Japan continues to work towards finding a solution to the resale issue while ensuring that customers are able to enjoy the Pokémon-themed Happy Set meals in a responsible manner.
McDonald's Japan is contemplating broader changes, not only limiting the purchase of Pokémon Happy Set meals but also considering restricting food-and-drink items, as a response to public pressure for stricter measures to prevent resale and waste. In a potential lifestyle shift, photos of luxurious or excessively ordered food-and-drink items may no longer be a popular trend on social media, given the company's emphasis on finance responsibility and sustainability.
