MANILA/TOKYO – Clinical trials in the Philippines will begin next week for the Japanese antiviral drug Avigan, a potential treatment for the new coronavirus, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Wednesday.

TOKYO – The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) announced its plans to go ahead with a physical edition this year, from Oct. 31 through Nov. 9, at Roppongi Hills, Ex Theater Roppongi, and other venues in Tokyo amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

TOKYO – The Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ) is returning to print on Aug. 24. The magazine's print issue was temporarily halted in April due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

MANILA/TOKYO – Avigan’s effectiveness against the new coronavirus remains undetermined, but several countries, including the Philippines, are optimistic about testing this Japanese antiviral drug to see if it can treat patients suffering from the deadly virus.