McDonald’s Japan Halts Popular Happy Meal Pokemon Campaign Amid Backlash
In a recent move, McDonald’s Japan has decided to cancel a special Happy Meal promotion that included collectible Pokemon cards. This decision comes after many customers purchased the Happy Meals just to sell the toys and cards online, leaving a significant amount of uneaten food discarded outside their restaurants.
The meals, known as Happy Sets in Japan, are designed for children and typically include a toy alongside a treat, like a small plastic Pikachu. Reports indicate that these meals sold out almost instantly, leading some customers to exploit the situation for profit.
Observations around McDonald’s locations showed piles of discarded meals, which the chain found concerning. In a statement, the company expressed its disappointment, saying, “We do not believe in abandoning and discarding food. This situation goes against our longtime philosophy that we have cherished as a restaurant to ‘offer a fun dining experience for children and families.’ We sincerely accept that our preparations had not been adequate.”
To ensure this doesn’t happen in the future, McDonald’s plans to implement measures such as limiting the number of Happy Sets a person can buy and stopping online orders. The company is also considering refusing service to individuals who do not follow these new guidelines.
In their statement, McDonald’s reaffirmed their commitment to creating positive memories for families, emphasizing their goal to support the wholesome development of children, who they consider the future of society.
Collecting Pokemon cards has become a popular pastime amongst both adults and children globally. Some of the more sought-after cards are being sold for prices as high as $1,000 or more.
When the Happy Meals featuring Pokemon cards were released, the response was overwhelming, with large crowds seen lining up at McDonald’s locations. Many of these cards were being resold online for hundreds of dollars.
For over four decades, McDonald’s has been serving Happy Meals, which typically retail at around 510 yen, or about $3.40, in Japan.
