A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers says it will push Japanese versions of the Taiwan Relations Act and Taiwan Travel Act this autumn, a step that would deepen Japan-Taiwan ties and further irritate Beijing.

• A seven-member Japanese parliamentary group focused on peace in the Taiwan Strait visited Taiwan's legislature after meeting the president two days earlier.
• Group head Kitamura Haruo said bills modeled on the US Taiwan Relations Act and Taiwan Travel Act would be submitted in Japan's autumn session.
• The aim is to move Japan-Taiwan relations from informal cultural and tourism exchange onto a legal footing.
• Taiwan's ruling DPP lawmakers welcomed the plan and want more cooperation on legislation and shared strategic positioning.
• Kitamura tied the effort to the legacies of former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe and former Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui.

Outlook: The bills face an uncertain path through Japan's autumn session, and any progress will likely draw a sharp response from China.