A group of Japanese lawmakers from four parties arrived in Taipei for a three-day visit, pledging to defend peace in the Taiwan Strait — a signal of warming Japan-Taiwan ties and a warning to Beijing.

• The delegation leads a new cross-party group in Japan's parliament focused on Taiwan Strait security, formed in June.
• Its main goal is to pass Japanese versions of two American laws, the Taiwan Relations Act and the Taiwan Travel Act, which would give Japan-Taiwan trade, security, and official exchanges a legal footing.
• The pitch: peace in the strait is a matter of Japan's own survival, not just Taiwan's, and Japan wants to work alongside the United States to deter any country from breaking it.
• Delegation head Kitamura Haruo has long argued Japan made a serious mistake in 1972 by cutting formal ties with Taiwan to recognize China.

Outlook: Expect draft Taiwan legislation to move in Japan's parliament and a sharp protest from Beijing.