LY Corp., operator of Yahoo! Japan, has announced a ban on reselling new Mobile Suit Gundam plastic models and similar kits at prices above retail on its flea market and auction sites for three months after release. The policy aims to curb malicious high-price resales and hoarding. It will take effect on February 6.
LY Corp., the operator of the internet portal Yahoo! Japan, announced on Friday a prohibition on listing new plastic model kits, including those from the popular anime series Mobile Suit Gundam—nicknamed 'Gunpla'—at prices exceeding retail on its Yahoo! Japan Flea Market and Yahoo! Japan Auction platforms. The ban applies for three months following each product's release date and targets items frequently subject to resale and hoarding.
The initiative seeks to prevent malicious high-price resales and stockpiling. Upon detecting violations, the company will remove the offending listings.
This follows a similar rule introduced in November last year for newly released game software, which banned high-price resales for one month after launch, marking the second such effort by LY Corp.
Gunpla kits, snap-together models of robots from the Gundam series, have long been popular among anime enthusiasts, with limited editions often facing resale issues at inflated prices. Based in Tokyo, LY Corp. aims to enhance platform integrity through these consumer protection measures.
