On what date was the company now called The Pokémon Company founded?

The company now called The Pokémon Company was founded on April 23, 1998.

It was originally established as Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. through a joint venture involving Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak. Its initial purpose was to manage specialized Pokémon merchandise stores in Japan, rather than to oversee every part of the franchise.

The company expanded its role after Pokémon became an international phenomenon. In October 2000, Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. was renamed The Pokémon Company, reflecting its broader responsibilities for brand management, licensing, publishing, marketing, and franchise coordination.

The Pokémon Company is often confused with Nintendo because Nintendo publishes or distributes many Pokémon products and owns the international Pokémon trademarks. However, the broader franchise is jointly connected to Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak in Japan. The company's international subsidiary, The Pokémon Company International, manages many operations outside Asia.