The Science Council of Japan has decided to ask Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to explain why he refused to appoint six people as new members of the leading academic body, and renew its request for their appointment.

The council is designated as a special organization under the jurisdiction of the prime minister, but makes policy proposals independently from the government.

The Science Council of Japan plans to ask the government to explain why it refused to appoint six people as new members of the leading academic body, and renew its request for their appointment.

The council on Friday decided to make the request after Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide did not appoint six of the 105 nominees, who would have joined the council from Thursday if they were approved.

Japan's health ministry appears set to approve antiviral drug remdesivir as a treatment for new coronavirus patients.

The fast-track approval follows in the footsteps of the United States, which authorized last Friday the emergency use of the drug to treat coronavirus patients.

Health minister Kato Katsunobu says Japan aims to approve remdesivir, the antiviral drug that may be used to treat coronavirus, in about one week after receiving an application from the pharmaceutical company.

The ministry would aim for swift approval through special, highly-simplified procedures only available for drugs in urgent need that have already been approved in other countries.

A Japanese government survey shows about 80 percent of respondents support maintaining the death penalty.

The Cabinet Office conducted the survey on the country's use of capital punishment in November 2019, covering 3,000 people aged 18 or older. 1,572 people responded.