The present invention provides an antiviral agent whichhas an excellent effect on a non-enveloped virus and which ishighly safe to the human body, and an antiviral compositionwhich comprises the antiviral agent and which is useful fordisinfection of the virus or prevention of infection of thevirus. The antiviral agent is characterized by comprising asan active ingredient an extract from a plant of the genusDiospyros containing tannin, a catechin, wattle tannin,pentagalloyl glucose, coffee tannin, an alkyl gallate(excluding that in the above-described persimmon extract),pyrogallol, or an organic acid and/or a salt thereof(excluding that in the above-described persimmon extract).The antiviral composition is characterized by comprising atleast the antiviral agent and an alcohol, a surfactant, amicrobicide, a humectant, or a cosmetic fat and oil, andpreferably further comprises citric acid and/or a saltthereof or vitamin C.
