A group of roughly 20 lawmakers from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has officially formed a legislative caucus dedicated to the trading card sector. The industry, currently valued at approximately US$2.1 billion, has seen significant growth, prompting government interest in its economic potential and international competitiveness.

The primary objective of this new group is to establish a regulatory framework that addresses ongoing challenges within the market. Specifically, the lawmakers intend to tackle the prevalence of counterfeit trading cards and the practice of bulk purchasing, which has increasingly been used for resale purposes. By implementing clearer rules, the group hopes to improve market transparency and consumer protection.

Beyond domestic regulation, the LDP members view the trading card industry as a key component of Japan’s cultural content exports. The group aims to facilitate the industry's expansion into overseas markets by ensuring a stable and reputable environment for collectors and businesses alike. While the initiative is framed as a move to protect the industry, it also signals a broader government effort to capitalize on the economic value of Japanese pop culture exports.