Japanese exchange bitFlyer has launched a bitcoin-based crowdfunding platform called fundFlyer, and has already signed up one high-profile member.
Japanese politician and digital currency supporter Mineyuki Fukuda is now crowdfunding his study tour of US bitcoin businesses.
JADA is a new advocacy group for bitcoin businesses in Japan that has industry and official backing.
Individual Japanese politicians are interested in bitcoin despite the government's hands-off approach, as the local ecosystem goes post-Gox.