Japan could trump the US on TPP with revised Asia-Pacific trade accord

Tokyo

A BIZARRE ritual, rather like formalising marriage with a deceased person, was enacted last Friday as Japan's Parliament ratified the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement - the same day that US President Donald Trump, who has struck what seems to be a lethal blow against the TPP, took office.

Japan's trade minister Hiroshige Seko raised a figurative glass to the spirit of free trade as the Upper House of Parliament stamped its approval on the TPP while minister-in-charge of negotiating the 12-nation pact Nobuteru Ishihara also pledged loyalty to the ideal of free trade.

But if Mr Trump makes good his campaign vow t…