A cross-party group of Taiwanese lawmakers is in Japan to strengthen political and business links, a positive sign for Taiwan-Japan relations at a time of rising regional tension.

• Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang led a cross-party delegation to Tokyo for an Asian Pacific Parliamentarians' Union meeting.
• Their first stop was a lunch with Japanese lawmakers from the group now called the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Parliamentarians' League.
• The Japanese side, led by Keiji Furuya, praised Taiwan's fast growth and said TSMC's Kumamoto plant has been a big win for Japan.
• Taiwan sent aid and public donations after the recent Kumamoto earthquake, which Japanese lawmakers thanked them for.
• Trade, tourism, and parliamentary visits between the two are all hitting record highs.

Outlook: Both sides want deeper industrial cooperation, with more chip investment and mutual visits likely in the coming months.