Taiwan and Japan are talking up closer business ties, a positive sign for both sides' trade and chip industries.

• A cross-party group of Taiwanese lawmakers arrived in Tokyo for an Asia-Pacific parliamentary conference, led by Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang.
• Their first stop was lunch with Japanese lawmakers from the friendship group now formally renamed the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Parliamentarians League after more than 50 years.
• League head Keiji Furuya praised Taiwan's fast growth and said TSMC's plant in Kumamoto has been a big boost for the region, just as Japan's bullet train tech helped Taiwan.
• Trade and tourism between the two are at record highs, and this legislature alone has hosted close to 20 Japanese parliamentary delegations.
• Taiwan sent condolences over the recent Kumamoto earthquake; Japan thanked Taiwan for its quick aid and public donations.

Outlook: Both sides signalled they want to deepen industrial cooperation, with an invitation open for Japanese lawmakers to visit Taiwan.