Japan gave Taiwan's cross-party lawmaker delegation a warm public welcome in Tokyo, a positive sign for Taipei's standing in the region and for its chip industry's strategic weight.

• Japan's House of Representatives Speaker Mori Eisuke hosted a welcome dinner for Taiwan's delegation, led by Legislative Yuan Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang.
• Mori called Taiwan an important partner sharing democratic values, pointing to TSMC and Taiwan's lead in chips.
• He tied that to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to keeping supply chains steady while global politics stays unsettled.
• Taiwan's delegation attended the Asian Pacific Parliamentarians' Union council with 13 member and observer delegations; Japan's Yamaguchi Shunichi was chosen to chair the next session.
• Taiwan's lawmakers also offered condolences over the Kumamoto earthquake and Chiba floods, and met counterparts from Tuvalu, Palau and the Marshall Islands.

Outlook: The main gathering will focus on defending open trade and hardening regional supply chains, with Taiwan's chip role at the center.