By Rocky Swift TOKYO, June 20 (Reuters) - Japan's broad Topix index fell for a second straight session on Tuesday as investors locked in recent gains, while trading companies surged after billionaire Warren Buffett raised his stakes in the sector. The Topix index fell 0.29% to close at 2,283.85. The benchmark Nikkei index was in the red for most of the day, but rallied in the afternoon to finish the session up 0.06% at 33,388.91. Tokio Marine Holdings slid 5.09% after the Jiji news service...

TOKYO (Reuters) - Fujifilm Holdings Corp’s Avigan, once hyped as a potential COVID-19 treatment by Japan’s prime minister, is facing uncertain prospects in the country, dampened by disappointing clinical studies and slow progress in regulatory review. Shares of Fujifilm hit record highs in early April, fueled by optimism for the drug, but have since lost a quarter of their value, highlighting the risks of betting on experimental COVID-19 vaccines and treatments that are often politically...

TOKYO (Reuters) - Takeda Pharmaceutical Co (4502.T) is looking to cut sales jobs in Japan in its latest restructuring effort, as it overhauls domestic business following its $59 billion purchase of Shire Plc, sources familiar with the company’s plans said. Major pharma companies in Japan have scaled down their sales forces to cope with a shrinking market and cuts in drug prices imposed by the national health system. The layoffs by Takeda, Japan’s biggest drug maker, will be focused on sales...

TOKYO (Reuters) - Four Western business lobbies joined in protesting Japan’s travel ban to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, saying the policy is out of step with measures in other major economies and will harm investment. Many countries have imposed travel curbs to battle the pandemic but Japan’s are among the most strict, effectively banning entry of tourists and visa holders from more than 140 countries. “This policy is contrary to the treatment Japan receives from other G7 and...

TOKYO (Reuters) - As nations race to develop treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, Japan has become a victim of its own success as slowing new infections has led to a shortage of patients to enroll in clinical trials. Clinical trials are underway for more than a dozen potential vaccines, including at least six in China, but Japan’s first human trials are expected to start next month. In development of treatments, Russia and India approved Fujifilm Holdings Corp’s Avigan as a COVID-19 therapy,...