In a speech this week, President Biden called ally Japan “xenophobic,” along with many other countries he says are suffering from immigration shortages.
Biden spoke Wednesday at a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., extolling the virtues and benefits of immigrants.
“This election is about freedom, America, and democracy, and that’s why I need you so much. You know, one of the reasons our economy is growing is because of you and others. Thanks to a lot of people. Why? Because we welcome immigrants.”
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President Joe Biden speaks at the IBEW Construction and Maintenance Conference in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“Why is China failing so badly economically? Why is Japan in trouble? Why Russia? Why India? Because they are xenophobic,” the president continued.
Japan and India are seen as important allies of the United States, while China and Russia are seen as rival powers with tense international relations with the West.
Biden suggested that these countries’ lower immigration levels compared to the United States are contributing to their respective economic concerns.
“They don’t want immigrants. Immigration is what makes us stronger. I’m not kidding. I’m not exaggerating because we have an influx of workers who want to be here and want to contribute.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Japanese embassy for comment, but did not receive a response.
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Immigrants at the front of the line are processed for entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (John Michael Larsch/Fox News Digital)
Several Japanese lawmakers responded to Biden’s comments on social media, expressing confusion and skepticism about the president’s stance.
“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 and a member of the House of Representatives. of the councillors.
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, writing that America’s “failures” caused by immigration contributed to Japan’s reluctance to embrace similar practices. .
“It’s not that we hate foreigners, it’s that we’re being cautious after seeing everyone’s mistakes,” Kamiya said. “You’re interfering too much in our internal affairs.”
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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden attend a press conference during their state visit in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC. (Yuri Gripas/Abaka/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
John Kirby, the National Security Council’s strategic communications coordinator, defended Biden’s comments at a news conference Thursday.
“What the president was making was a broader point, and I think people around the world recognize this: America is a nation of immigrants, and that’s in our DNA,” Kirby told reporters. It means that it is incorporated into.” “We’re stronger for it. We’re not going to run away from it. And that’s the broader point he was trying to make.”
When asked why the president singled out the two allies, Kirby balked, stressing that Biden intended to praise the United States and not criticize Japan or India.
“Again, it makes a broader point about this country, our country: Our allies know how much this president respects them, values their friendship, values their contributions. I know very well,” Kirby replied. “And you honestly don’t have to look far to see the success of what we’ve been doing in the Indo-Pacific with Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.”
