Tokyo, Dec 5, 2020, SPA -- Japan's parliament approved a post-Brexit free trade deal with Britain, clearing the way for its enforcement Jan. 1 next year to ensure continuity in bilateral business operations beyond London's end of transition out of the European Union this month, Kyodo reported. The deal, signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and British International Trade Secretary Liz Truss in Tokyo in October, passed the upper house following its approval by the lower house last month. Britain still needs to complete its domestic ratification procedures for the pact to enter into force. The two countries needed to wrap up the deal as the existing Japan-EU pact will not cover Britain after the completion of the Brexit transition period in December and could result in impositions of higher tariffs on both countries. --SPA 03:56 LOCAL TIME 00:56 GMT 0028 www.spa.gov.sa/w1462806