UlasanAnime.com – Planning to attend Masters Of Idol World 2023 (MOIW 2023) might be more complex than in the past, especially concerning ticket acquisition. Back in 2013-2014, organizing for The IDOLM@STER’s 10th anniversary show was a more straightforward process. However, with MOIW 2023 on the horizon, it’s essential to understand the current landscape of event ticketing in Japan.
The ticketing situation in Japan has become considerably more challenging. Several factors contribute to this, including the post-COVID impact on event attendance. While many concerts in Japan were still recovering in 2022, it’s worth noting that even large summer events like Anisama 2022 saw significantly fewer attendees. For instance, day tickets were available at the door for all three days of Anisama 2022, with seating utilization not reaching full capacity. Sunday’s stands were at 50%, and both stands and the arena were at 50% capacity on Friday.
Fundamentally, some significant changes have occurred, primarily due to the pandemic. Thankfully, the changes are not overwhelmingly drastic.
Ticketing has largely transitioned to digital platforms due to COVID-19. While physical tickets are still issued for many events, some companies have fully embraced digital ticketing. Bandai Namco, for example, has moved in this direction. Specifically, the use of eplus and OnlineTicket/Smart Ticket systems means that ticket holders often need to be linked to their account holders.
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A major hurdle for international fans is that, partly due to anti-scalping laws enacted before COVID-19, many ticket sites now require a verified Japanese phone number to create an account. This presents the biggest obstacle for overseas Producers aiming to secure tickets. On the positive side, it is possible for tourists to obtain a SIM card or even a rental phone in Japan for this purpose. However, obtaining a permanent number that works internationally for these requirements is difficult, and for most non-residents, it’s practically impossible.
The second significant barrier to attending MOIW is the actual process of obtaining tickets. Beyond simply possessing tickets, you will need the same account used for ticket applications. This necessitates having a Japanese phone number at some point and registering it with your account. In essence, to participate in the lottery, you’ll likely need to rely on individuals already in Japan or those who have successfully navigated these requirements from overseas, perhaps due to grandfathered access or other arrangements.
Fortunately, the MOIW 2023 Asobi Store round ticket lottery allows each account to apply for up to four tickets per day, or “through” tickets that cover both days. However, in addition to the aforementioned barriers, there’s the ongoing challenge of paying for tickets using overseas credit cards, which is not straightforward at present.
Enterprising Producers might consider finding someone with an eplus account who can apply for tickets on their behalf during the lottery rounds. The logistics of sending out these tickets to individuals can then be managed upon arrival in Japan.
These ticketing challenges are not entirely new. Similar difficulties were encountered in 2018-2019 when trying to secure tickets via eplus. Back then, one either had to figure out a payment system (like the now-defunct Mixi M) or receive assistance from someone local. What has become considerably more difficult is obtaining a Japanese phone number, as Japan has tightened its prepaid SIM card regulations, requiring proof of residency.
Therefore, the first step for interested fans should be to register their interest for the event. This allows for the organization of lottery pools to secure the necessary number of tickets. This proactive approach can help fans coordinate their efforts.
If initial lottery attempts are unsuccessful, the next step is to plan for subsequent lottery rounds. It’s likely that direct ticket sales will become available, similar to what happened with MOIW 2015. Given the current “tightness” of the situation, there’s a good chance that even at-door ticket sales will be an option. Obtaining tickets for this show might not be as difficult as it seemed for MOIW 2015.
Planning a trip to Japan based on these uncertain possibilities is challenging, but this is the current reality. It is hoped that fan groups can collaborate and communicate to reduce some of this uncertainty. This could lead to a positive outcome or at least provide advance warning of potential difficulties, allowing time for alternative arrangements.
