The Japanese government has issued a response to President Biden’s recent comments claiming the island nation is being “xenophobic” by not accepting more immigrants.
Biden told an audience at a campaign fundraiser Wednesday that the U.S. economy is strong “because we welcome immigrants.”
The president said, “Why is China failing so badly economically? Why is Japan in trouble? Why Russia? Why India? Because they are xenophobic.”
Biden calls Japan “xenophobic” for not accepting as many immigrants as China and Russia
President Joe Biden inspects the honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Akasaka State Guest House in Tokyo. (Hoshiko Eugene – Pool/Getty Images)
Officials at the Japanese embassy in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital that they had discussed the remarks with the Biden administration and were informed that the president’s comments were not intended to be derogatory.
“We believe that President Biden’s comments were made in the context of explaining that the United States is a nation of immigrants and that immigrants make us stronger, and that President Biden’s comments were made with the intention of undermining the national system. “We have made it clear that the U.S.-Japan relationship is important and durable,” the embassy told FOX News Digital.
But the officials also said Biden’s “xenophobic” comments were “not based on an accurate understanding of Japanese policy” and called the situation “unfortunate.”
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President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. ((Photo credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images))
An official said, “It is unfortunate that some of the comments did not accurately understand Japan’s policy, and we pointed this out to the U.S. government and explained Japan’s position and policy once again.”
The Japanese government struck a diplomatic tone in its message, saying, “Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit in April… [that] “The Japan-U.S. relationship is stronger than ever,” he said, “and we will continue to work with the United States to further strengthen our bilateral relationship.”
Several Japanese Diet member He responded to Biden’s comments on social media immediately after the controversy, expressing confusion and skepticism about the president’s tone.
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Migrants rest and prepare for the night on the banks of the Rio Grande River on the U.S.-Mexico border in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico. (Justin Hummel/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Immigration is an issue that even European leaders are concerned about. To date, no country has solved this issue,” said Mizuho Umemura, a member of the conservative Japan Restoration Party. House of Councilors.
He added, “I hope President Biden resolves the problems in New York before he says something like this.Depending on the presidential election, policies could change 180 degrees, and there is no need for Japan to follow suit.” . ”
Fellow House of Councilors member and leader of the right-wing populist Sansei Party, Sohei Kamiya, was more direct: “It’s not that we’re xenophobic. We’re being cautious after seeing your failures. You are interfering too much in our internal affairs.” . ”
