This is the kind of news that do influence the market last year and I also believe that in some days to come this is going to push bitcoin upwards.
This isn't the same as what happened last year, and people are already used to having Japan on board. The thing with regulations is that they eventually will bind this market in a web of laws that don't contribute to freedom.
The further we are in progress, the more freedom people lose, and this isn't only related to Asia, but it's happening pretty much in every possible country. That's why I am happy to see local crypto economies emerge.
The more governments push towards regulations, the more inclined people are to shift away from that. If enough people and businesses follow their own path, the better it is, because we don't need to wait for governmental approval.