The Japanese government has responded to President Biden’s recent remarks calling Japan “xenophobic” for not accepting more immigrants. Biden made the comments at a campaign fundraiser, stating 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 regarding the remarks and were told that they were not meant to be derogatory. The embassy emphasized that Japan’s policies were not accurately understood by Biden and considered the situation to be unfortunate.
The embassy stated that Biden’s comments were not based on an accurate understanding of Japan’s policies, and they raised this point to the U.S. government while explaining Japan’s positions once again. Despite the controversy, the Japanese government maintained a diplomatic tone, affirming that the Japan-U.S. relationship remains strong. Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit in April was highlighted as demonstrating the strength of the bilateral tie, and the government expressed its commitment to working with the U.S. to further strengthen this relationship.
Several Japanese lawmakers took to social media to express their confusion or skepticism towards Biden’s comments. Mizuho Umemura, a member of the Nippon Ishin no Kai Party, highlighted that migration is a problem not limited to Japan, as European leaders are also struggling with it. She called for Biden to address the issue in New York before making such comments, suggesting that Japan does not need to change its policy based on the U.S. presidential election outcomes. 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 emphasizing the importance of immigrants in strengthening the U.S. and were not intended to undermine the Japan-U.S. relationship. Despite this, the officials emphasized that the comments were not based on an accurate understanding of Japan’s policies. The government reaffirmed its commitment to working with the U.S. to strengthen bilateral ties, highlighting Prime Minister Kishida’s recent visit to the U.S. as evidence of the strong relationship between the two countries.
Japanese lawmakers expressed varying reactions to Biden’s comments, with some calling for a better understanding of the challenges faced by countries dealing with migration issues. Umemura highlighted the complexity of the problem and called for a more nuanced approach, while Kamiya defended Japan’s cautious stance by pointing out failures elsewhere. The overall 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 policies.
In conclusion, while President Biden’s comments caused 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 the Japan-U.S. relationship and expressed readiness to work with the U.S. towards that goal. Lawmakers called for a more nuanced approach to the immigration issue and defended Japan’s policies, highlighting the complexities involved in addressing migration challenges. Ultimately, the response from Japan focused on fostering a better understanding of the country’s position and the importance of informed dialogue on immigration policies.
