Japanese Regulator: Ready to Reform?

The top Japanese regulator, the Financial Services Agency (FSA), has reportedly signaled its readiness to reform the nation's crypto gaming laws.

According to Japanese media outlets Nikkei and CoinPost, the FSA is also set to "discuss the creation of a system" that would "make it easier for businesses" to "handle crypto assets."

Nikkei reported that a working group of the Financial System Council will aim to "revise" the existing Payment Services Act.

The reforms could reportedly make it easier for corporations to "handle" in-game cryptoassets. This, in turn, could "encourage more major domestic companies" to foray into the blockchain gaming sector.

Blockchain Gaming in Japan

As in nearby South Korea, Japan has plenty of large gaming companies. However, many of these have taken a non-committal stance on blockchain gaming.

This is largely due to Tokyo (and Seoul)'s strict regulation of three key sectors: crypto and crypto exchanges, video games, and gambling. However, Tokyo has been trying to reform its crypto-related laws after pressure from the industry.

Political opponents have accused the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of forcing Japanese web3 startups overseas. The government has already responded by relaxing tax rules for crypto-holding firms. It is expected to follow up with tax reforms for individual crypto traders.

Overseas Examples

Nikkei traditionally has reliable sources at the FSA. The newspaper reported that the reforms may "make it easier" for players to "purchase items in games using crypto assets, as is the case overseas."

Currently, Japanese firms that use tradeable in-game currencies or crypto assets must prove they have enough money to refund users in the event of a hack or other emergency.

This has proven "burdensome" for Japanese gaming firms. However, the FSA appears open to the idea of modifying or eliminating this requirement.

Asset management, another thorny issue for crypto-curious gaming firms, is also set for a review. The media outlet said the regulator began talks at a council working group meeting on September 25.

Tax System 'Not a Good Fit for Web3'

The council is the FSA's main advisory body. It is tasked with researching regulatory issues and forming financial policies on regulations-related matters.

CoinPost noted that Masaaki Taira, the LDP's web3 policy unit chairman, recently stated that Japan's tax system is "not optimized" for startups "in the modern era."

"When [Japanese] startup companies hold and issue tokens that are not as [well-known] as Bitcoin, accounting firms cannot conduct proper audits. This remains a problem."