This article delves into the surprise surge in scalping, or unauthorised resale, of tickets to the Takarazuka Revue, a famed all-female musical theatre troupe in Japan. Despite the legal consequences and penalties in place, some scalpers are still willing to risk this grey market trade. Both the authorities and theatre fans alike express concern by this trend, calling for stricter enforcement and increased public awareness.

In Japan, resistance against ticket scalping is strong. It's seen as a way of exploiting passionate fans while interrupting fair distribution of tickets. The anti-scalping law was revised in 2019, increasing penalties to deter this activity. The current rise in scalping for Takarazuka Revue indicates gaps in enforcement and social concern about equitable opportunities to enjoy cultural activities.

Many western countries, like the US and EU nations, have laws against scalping but enforcement varies. Ticket scalping happens more commonly for popular sports events and concerts - a sign of high demand and limited supply. However, the digital age has increased online resale platforms, making detecting and policing scalping a complex issue across the globe.