Add custom escape character to existing file type

Okay, not the best title. I'm working on a Minecraft mod, and would like to know if it's possible (or can be made possible) to add syntax highlighting for an unconventional escape character in JSON files. The character in question is the ' § ' symbol, which is used in language files for specifying colour and formatting codes used by the game. These can make strings quite annoying to read though, without any syntax highlighting to separate them from the actual text that will be displayed.

(example usage):

As you can imagine, longer strings with more formatting codes become... tricky... to read.

In short, is it possible to add this character as a (sort-of escape character) for JSON files (or at least make it look like one), preferably on a per-project basis but if not then globally for IntelliJ IDEA?

Many thanks.