A group of Japanese lawmakers visited the ruling DPP in Taipei, a sign that unofficial Japan-Taiwan ties keep getting warmer even without formal diplomatic relations.

• Ten Japanese lawmakers from the Japan Innovation Party met DPP legislators at party headquarters to talk about relations, regional security, falling birth rates and tech.
• Both sides tied peace in the Taiwan Strait directly to Japan's own security, and want deeper party-to-party and parliamentary cooperation.
• China's "gray zone" pressure in the waters east of Taiwan was singled out as the reason to strengthen joint security work.
• Taiwan and Japan want to widen chip cooperation into AI, next-generation telecoms and training high-tech workers as global supply chains get rebuilt.
• Both are also swapping notes on their shrinking populations, with Taiwan setting up a new child and family agency modeled on Japan's.

Outlook: Expect more exchanges next year, including a proposed baseball game between Taiwanese and Japanese lawmakers, as both sides push past Taipei-only formal meetings.