Japan's Naomi Osaka adds voice to US protests: 'Silence is betrayal'

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka has raised her voice against racism following the controversial death of George Floyd in police custody.

"Just because it isn't happening to you doesn't mean it isn't happening at all," she wrote.

Osaka, who is born to a Haitian father and Japanese mother, criticised people for tweeting more about looting than "the death of an unarmed black man".

"There comes a time when silence is betrayal," read her earlier post.

Violent protests have erupted across several parts of the country after the death of Floyd just minutes after a white police officer pinned him down with his knee.

Osaka joins other sports stars like basketball great Michael Jordan and Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, who've spoken out against police brutality.