Japan ratified the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact on Friday as the ruling camp approved the trade deal and its related legislation in the Upper House, overcoming resistance from the opposition camp.
However, the chance of the free trade deal taking effect is considered very slim because U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to withdraw from the agreement as soon as he is sworn in on Jan. 20.
Even Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has admitted that a TPP without the U.S. would be "meaningless."
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