Japanese response to Biden’s accusation of xenophobia: ‘Regrettable’

The Japanese government has responded to President Biden’s recent comments calling Japan “xenophobic” for not accepting more immigrants. Biden made the comments at a campaign fundraiser, arguing that the U.S. economy is dominant because it welcomes immigrants. Japanese officials at the embassy in Washington, D.C., clarified that they had spoken to the Biden administration about the comments and were told they were not meant to be derogatory. The embassy emphasized that Japan’s policy was not well understood by Biden and considered the situation unfortunate.

The embassy stated that Biden’s comments were not based on an accurate understanding of Japanese policy, and they raised the point with the US government while re-explaining Japan’s positions. Despite the controversy, the Japanese government maintained a diplomatic tone and affirmed that the relationship between Japan and the US remains strong. Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit in April was highlighted as a demonstration of the strength of bilateral ties, and the government expressed its commitment to working with the US to further strengthen this relationship.

Several Japanese lawmakers took to social media to express confusion or skepticism about Biden’s comments. Nippon Ishin no Kai Party member Mizuho Umemura stressed that migration is an issue not limited to Japan as European leaders are also grappling with it. She called on Biden to address the issue in New York before making such comments, suggesting Japan does not need to change its policies based on the outcome of the US presidential election. Sohei Kamiya, the leader of the Sansei Party, directly refuted the accusation of xenophobia, stating that Japan’s caution stemmed from observing failures elsewhere.

The Japanese government clarified that Biden’s comments were made in the context of highlighting the importance of immigrants in strengthening the US and were not intended to undermine Japan-US relations. Still, officials emphasized that the comments were not based on an accurate understanding of Japanese policy. The government reaffirmed its commitment to working with the US to strengthen bilateral ties, highlighting Prime Minister Kishida’s recent visit to the US as evidence of the strong relationship between the two countries.

Japanese lawmakers had mixed reactions to Biden’s comments, with some calling for a better understanding of the challenges facing countries dealing with migration issues. Umemura emphasized the complexity of the problem and called for a more nuanced approach, while Kamiya defended Japan’s cautious stance by pointing to failures elsewhere. The general sentiment from Japanese officials and lawmakers was that the comments were not based on a comprehensive understanding of the situation in Japan and emphasized the need for a more informed dialogue on immigration policy.

In conclusion, although President Biden’s comments sparked controversy in Japan, the government and lawmakers responded with a measured tone, emphasizing the need for a more accurate understanding of Japan’s policies. The Japanese government reiterated its commitment to strengthening Japan-US relations and expressed its willingness to work with the US toward that goal. Lawmakers called for a more nuanced approach to the immigration issue and defended Japan’s policies, highlighting the complexities involved in tackling migration issues. Ultimately, Japan’s response focused on promoting a better understanding of the country’s position and the importance of informed dialogue on immigration policy.