Gargling solution flies off Japan's shelves after governor touts anti-virus effect

FILE PHOTO: Banners notifying sold-out of gargling medicine are displayed at empty shelves at a drugstore in Tokyo, Japan August 5, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese drugstores were stripped bare of gargling solution by Wednesday, a day after the governor of the western prefecture of Osaka suggested it could help fight coronavirus, triggering panicked buying reminiscent of the early days of mask shortages.

Hundreds of thousands of people posted pictures of emptied shelves on Twitter, accompanied by handwritten "Out of Stock" notices, as they canvassed suggestions on how to acquire the coveted antiseptic.