Japan's biggest cross-party pro-Taiwan group in parliament wants to send 50 lawmakers to Taiwan's National Day on October 10, a positive sign for Taiwan-Japan ties and a pointed message to China.

• The Japan-Taiwan Friendship Parliamentary League, led by Keiji Furuya, set a goal of 50 members for this year's trip, matching past large delegations even during parliamentary sessions.
• The group renamed itself in June and has grown to 323 members, making it one of the largest cross-party blocs in Japan's parliament.
• Taiwan's envoy to Japan said Japan's National Day delegation is the largest of any country and called it proof of the deepest friendship between the two sides.
• Furuya was sanctioned by China in April for visiting Taiwan too often; he shot back that if China really considers Taiwan part of its own country, his visits should not be a problem.
• Furuya backed Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's position that the two sides of the strait are not subordinate to each other, calling it a description of the current reality rather than a declaration of independence.

Outlook: Expect a high-profile Japanese show of support in Taipei on October 10, with China likely to protest and possibly add more sanctions on Japanese lawmakers.