A large cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers is in Taiwan for its National Day events, a visible boost for Taiwan's international standing and a quiet irritant for Beijing.

• The delegation brings 27 Japanese lawmakers plus staff, making 34 people in all.
• They will greet President Lai Ching-te, attend the National Day ceremony and the parade, and meet legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu.
• The group behind the trip renamed itself the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Parliamentarians Association in June, and this is its first big National Day delegation under the new name.
• Its leader, Keiji Furuya, received a Taiwanese state honor in July for his work building ties between the two sides.
• Taiwan's foreign ministry framed the visit as proof that support for Taiwan spans Japan's political parties, not just one faction.

Outlook: Expect more parliamentary exchanges between Taipei and Tokyo, and the usual objections from Beijing.