With the expansion of the trading card market in Japan, the demand for "grading services," which objectively evaluate the authenticity and condition of cards, has surged. Here are the major grading service companies currently mainstream among Japanese collectors and their distinct features.

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

PSA is the world's largest grading company and serves as the de facto standard in the Japanese card market. Utilizing a 10-point grading scale from 1 to 10, cards that achieve the highest grade of "PSA10" often see their market value skyrocket to several times or even tens of times higher than ungraded items. Due to its overwhelming recognition and brand power, PSA is the most chosen option for collectors who prioritize future resale and market liquidity. The establishment of a local branch (PSA Japan) has also made direct domestic submissions much easier.

BGS (Beckett Grading Services)

BGS is best known for its strict grading standards and "sub-grades," which evaluate card conditions across four distinct categories: centering, corners, edges, and surface. Earning a BGS grade is considered more difficult than achieving PSA's top grades, and the "Black Label"—awarded only to cards that receive a pristine 10 across all four sub-grade categories—represents the ultimate status for collectors. Their cases are notably thick, sturdy, and substantial in weight.

ARS (ARS Grading)

ARS has rapidly gained support as a Japan-based grading brand. Rather than focusing primarily on investment value like overseas agencies, ARS places heavy emphasis on "protection and appreciation as a work of art." They utilize custom acrylic cases that boast exceptional transparency and smooth edges, paired with special metal plates for the captions, making their display aesthetics second to none. Because it is a domestic company, customer support is fully available in Japanese, and it eliminates the risk of international shipping loss.

CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)

While CGC originally built a world-class track record in comic book grading, it has also expanded its share in the TCG grading sector. They use crystal-clear cases with high transparency that do not interfere with the card's natural colors. Additionally, CGC excels in the specialized grading and label designation of "error cards" (such as printing alignment shifts or cutting mistakes), earning strong support from maniac collectors who gather error items.