Biden Accuses Japan of Being “Xenophobic” for Low Immigrant Acceptance

(BrightPress.org) – During a fund-raising event on Wednesday, May 1st, President Joe Biden called Japan “xenophobic” and compared the nation to China, India and Russia. Biden addressed the audience composed predominantly of Asian Americans as he declared the upcoming presidential election is about “freedom, America, and democracy.” He continued to say the U.S. economy was “thriving” because of immigrants.

Biden singled out Japan, India, China, and Russia, claiming the nations are struggling economically because they are “xenophobic” and “don’t want immigrants.” He said immigrants make our country strong because of an “influx of workers” who desire to be in the U.S. and contribute.

The Japanese Embassy responded on Friday with a “slight rebuke” of the President’s use of the word “xenophobic” saying it “raised concerns” with officials. The embassy said that some of Joe Biden’s comments reflected an inaccurate understanding of Japan’s policies, which they have explained again to U.S. officials.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified the intent of the President’s remarks to mean the U.S. is a nation of immigrants. The Japanese Embassy stated it understood the clarified explanation and that the comment was not meant to negatively affect the relationship between Japan and the U.S.

Japanese lawmakers reacted to Biden’s comments on social media. Mizuho Umemura of the Nippon Ishin no Kai Party seemed confused as she pointed out Most European leaders are struggling with how to effectively deal with migration issues and said Biden should “solve the problem in New York” before making remarks of this type about other countries.

Sohei Kamiya of the Sansei Party claimed the “failures” of the U.S. immigration policies are the reason Japan is hesitant to adopt more open policies regarding immigration. Kamiya said Biden is “meddling too much” in Japan’s internal affairs.

John Kirby with the White House said the President was trying to make a “broader point” about America being stronger for being a “nation of immigrants.”