TOKYO: Japanese companies operating in the United States are quickly taking measures in response to raging anti-racism protests in the country triggered by an incident in Minneapolis late last month in which a black man died after being pinned down to the ground by a white cop.

Companies need to take careful approaches to deep-rooted racism issues in the country, analysts said. Some firms are showing understanding for the ongoing demonstrations while others are taking steps to defend themselves from protests that are becoming violent.

In a tweet on Wednesday, SoftBank Group Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son pledged to overcome the inequality in the society that hampers black and Hispanic entrepreneurs from achieving a success.

SoftBank Group plans to launch a new 100-million-dollar fund to support companies led by non-white founders and entrepreneurs. It will be one of the largest funds for that purpose in the world, according to the mobile phone and investment group.

Sony Interactive Entertainment, a US unit of electronics giant Sony Corp., has postponed an online event scheduled for Friday to unveil software for the group's PlayStation 5 video game console, which will go on sale late this year.

https://twitter.com/Sony/status/1267201754367737857?s=20

"While we understand gamers worldwide are excited to see PS5 games, we do not feel that right now is a time for celebration and for now, we want to stand back and allow more important voices to be heard," Sony Interactive President Jim Ryan said in a blog post, apparently showing a supportive stance for the protesters.

Fast Retailing Co., the operator of Uniqlo and other clothing chains, took measures to protect Uniqlo stores in areas where protests have turned into riots.

Forty-seven of the 50 Uniqlo outlets in the United States have been closed due to the coronavirus crisis, and the protests could affect the schedule for reopening the stores.

Meanwhile, Honda Motor Co. had a window at a US outlet broken and a car stolen from the store although its automobile plants in the country remain safe.

JIJI Press