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TPP clears main hurdle in Japan’s parliament

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement has cleared its main hurdle in Japan’s parliament, but not without controversy.

The TPP ratification bill, which is backed by Japanese Prime Minister Abe, was passed by a special committee despite protests from opposition lawmakers who said it was moving through too quickly.  According to The Japan Times, “opponents yelled, tussled and held up pieces of paper that said, ‘No steamroll vote!’ and ‘We’re against TPP!'”

Opposition lawmakers have raised objections over imported meat raised with growth hormones, which aren’t legal in Japan. Opposition groups also want labeling of genetically modified fish and products that contain GMOs.

The bill is expected to receive final approval in Japan’s parliament early next week. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Abe government is pushing for passage before the U.S. election, hoping to counter the impression left by the U.S. presidential campaign that the trade deal’s prospects are hopeless and to show that they don’t want to reopen the talks under a new administration.