A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers promoting ties with Taiwan decided Thursday to rename itself with the word Taiwan explicitly included, a move that could draw backlash from China.
The group approved the name change at a plenary meeting in Tokyo. It had previously used a kanji indicating Republic of China, Taiwan's official name, and was known in English as the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council.
The new name is not available in English at this point. Keiji Furuya of the Liberal Democratic Party, head of the council, said membership now exceeds 300 and called it proof of the unshakable bond between Japan and Taiwan.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivered a video message to the gathering, which included at least one Taiwanese government official. Discussions on the name change were held behind closed doors.
