Japanese Ruling Party to Host Policy Seminar on Prediction Markets in October, Invites Kalshi

Forecasting platform Kalshi has reportedly secured a valuation of $2.2 billion following new investment funding, according to sources.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is now moving toward formal consideration of prediction markets. Taira Masaki, chair of the LDP Digital Advanced Finance Parliamentary Group in the House of Representatives, announced on October 17 that the group will host a policy seminar focused on prediction markets ahead of Kalshi executives' visit scheduled for late October.

Prediction markets allow participants to bet money on future events such as election outcomes or stock movements, with winners earning profits and losers facing losses. In the United States, they have gained attention as tools comparable to public opinion polls and collective intelligence mechanisms.

NADA News reported on October 15 that the parliamentary group had set prediction markets as a review subject, citing sources close to Taira Masaki, who later provided details about the agenda and schedule. Polymarket executives are also being coordinated to attend the seminar, with both companies having met with Masaki during his visit to the LDP Blockchain Promotion Parliamentary Group in August.

Under current Japanese law, structures where participants wager their own funds on outcomes could potentially fall under criminal gambling provisions, making legal compliance a prerequisite for market entry. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) has maintained a cautious stance in parliamentary responses, underscoring the importance of securing legality before entering the Japanese market.

The parliamentary group plans to hold multiple seminars throughout October and beyond, alongside conducting hearings with domestic industry representatives.