Some Japanese companies in the United States have suffered damage from the protests over the death of an African-American man that have spawned violence across the country, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday.

"We're carefully watching the situation, its developments and its impacts on Japan with strong interest," the top Japanese government spokesman told a press conference.

The United States is experiencing widespread racial turbulence over the death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck as he was being arrested.

Suga said the government will "make every effort to secure the safety of Japanese nationals and companies in the United States," while continuing to gather related information at the Japanese embassy in Washington and consulate-generals in the country with a sense of tension.

JIJI Press