I can’t believe it is 2026 and we are still regurgitating the same old story. For those who are playing at home Joji for the 2026 season has claimed to be in the Oceania region to qualify for the Pokémon World Championships under the Australian flag, whilst residing in Japan for the entire season. In 2025Mr Kaieda lived in Australia, attended locals and was eligible under TPCI ruling to participate in the Oceania region. Mr Kaieda, decided to be clever and remained in our regions leaderboard after heading back to Japan right after worlds 2025 (since August 2025). His plan was to attempt to qualify for the Pokemon World Championships whilst participating in 0 Australian local events and by only competing in Online International Championships and travelling internationally to Regional championships and International Championships from Japan.

Now all hope in the world is not lost, and there are still some players who have some integrity in their system. Joji could have followed the footsteps of Masayoshi Kuroo, who lived in Australia for the 2025 season and once he stopped living here, rightfully decided not to abuse the system and qualify once again through the Oceania region. Joji however decided to continue his stay longer than expected, preying on the fact no one would stand up, preying on the fact that no one would talk and preying on the fact that no one would care that he Is taking something that he has simply not deserved.
I simply have no time and respect for people who seem to think they are above the rules to benefit themselves. From Joji’s actions we have 3 players who have their World’s Travel Award, World’s Stipend and World Championship Invite rightfully stolen from someone who is cheating the system and has no right to compete for qualification within our region. As someone who takes immense pride and a sense of accomplishment of representing my country and being able to compete at the biggest and greatest events in the world due to my performances, it is wrong and disappointing that this is being stolen from someone who has rightfully deserved to be this in position. This isn’t an issue of denying the better player or bringing the best player to the world championships. This is an issue of what is right and what is wrong based on country and residency eligibility. Joji does not live in Australia, he does not deserve to qualify through the Oceania circuit. There is no excuse for not considering how he would impact others and there is no excuse for not knowing he was doing the wrong thing. His actions are deliberate, his actions are measured and his actions are calculated to the point where this was his plan all along.

Living in Japan whilst playing in the Australian circuit has massive advantages including being able to travel and compete in high CP earning events including LAIC, EUIC and I presume NAIC 😊 whilst paying a fraction of the cost that legitimate Australian players have to deal with. He is not deserving, he did not earn a world championship invite legitimately and does not deserve to play in the Pokemon World Championships under the qualification through the Oceania region.

From participating in local Japanese tournaments and videos (like this one here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhq7FXKAuyc ) and from telling other Australian competitors that he plans on moving back to Australia to compete (which I don’t believe) he has continued to make a mockery of our community by competing and playing under our circuit. The whole Australian community has stood dormant for long enough on complaining about this situation. We are all aligned that he does not deserve to represent our country at this World Championships. We have submitted our support tickets, they simply do not work and they have never worked. This is our last resort to which the whole community has placed all their final eggs in this basket.

I have 0 sympathy if he qualifies or plays worlds given his actions and I would be extremely disappointed seeing an Australian miss out on what I consider the opportunity of a lifetime due to the lack of awareness and action from TPCI and this community. This type of behaviour should be frowned upon worldwide as each player who rightfully has earnt the honour of competition at the World Championships should be proud of the hard work it takes to qualify to play. Actions like Joji’s come at a consequence to the entire integrity of the competition and makes a mockery of the efforts our players show to qualify for worlds. He took the risk of trying to bypass qualifying for worlds through the Japan circuit and hopefully he pays the price.

Joji the journey ends here, no more ocean crossing for you.