JAPAN RATIFIES PACIFIC TRADE PACT DESPITE TRUMP PLANS

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pictured, won parliamentary approval Friday for ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, despite U. S. president- elect Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw from the 12-nation trade pact. Upper house lawmakers approved the TPP on Friday, heeding Abe’s calls to push ahead with it despite Trump’s rejection of the free-trade initiative championed by President Barack Obama. Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has an ample majority in both houses of parliament. Ratification of regulatory revisions by cabinet is expected soon. The market opening measures required by the trade pact are seen as a way for Abe to push through difficult reforms of the agricultural and health sectors. Trump has vowed to exit the pact right after he takes office..