When was the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s Base Set released in Japan?

The Pokémon Trading Card Game’s Base Set was released in Japan on October 20, 1996. It is identified as the first expansion of cards and theme decks for the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

The set followed the launch of the Pokémon video games earlier in 1996 and helped extend the franchise into collectible cards. Japanese Base Set products were known as the first starter and expansion pack, and the set included Pokémon, Trainer and Energy cards.

The Japanese release is often confused with the English-language Base Set launch in the United States, which occurred on January 9, 1999. Earlier Japanese Pokémon Carddass cards had appeared in September 1996, but those were a separate card product rather than the Pokémon Trading Card Game.