Topps to Release Nippon Professional Baseball Cards

Topps has announced a 2021 licensing agreement with the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) for the production and distribution of trading cards in Japan.

It is the first time in its 80-year history that the company has released official trading cards for the entire league, consisting of all 12 NPB teams.

This past year Topps opened an office in Tokyo to better serve the Japanese and Asian market's increasing demand for trading cards. 

"We have been actively pursuing the NPB league as a way to better serve baseball and sports fans in Japan and beyond," says David Leiner, global general manager, sports and entertainment, Topps. "We feel the licensing agreement will deliver fans an exciting range of collectible products and enhance how fans collect their favorite teams and players."

"We are very happy to have signed a licensing agreement with NPB in the memorable year when Topps started its business in Japan," says Satoshi Misu, Japan country general manager, Topps. "With the agreement, we hope to increase the number of trading card fans in Japan as much as possible."

Topps launched a local Japanese website, JP.Topps.com in September and will debut several products in 2021 to be sold in select retail locations throughout Japan starting in Q4.  

Topps Europe is exhibiting at Brand Licensing Europe. Be sure to register for Brand Licensing Europe here.