Japan Immigration News

( KYODO NEWS)Biden's labeling of Japan as xenophobic 'regrettable,' gov't says

Release Date: 2024-05-07
Media: KYODO NEWS
Summary: Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed regret over U.S. President Joe Biden's recent comments labeling Japan as "xenophobic," but emphasized that Japan would continue working to strengthen bilateral ties. Hayashi stated that Japan had conveyed to the U.S. that Biden's remarks, made during a presidential fundraising event last week, were based on a misunderstanding of Japan's immigration policy.

Despite the controversy, Hayashi suggested that Biden did not intend to harm relations between the two countries, explaining that the president's comments were aimed at highlighting the role of immigrants in driving economic growth in the U.S.

Biden's remarks included praising immigration and diversity as strengths of the U.S. economy while criticizing countries like Japan, China, Russia, and India for their reluctance to accept immigrants, which he suggested was hindering their economic growth. Hayashi pointed to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's recent visit to the U.S. as a sign of the strong and growing relationship between Tokyo and Washington.
Tags: Immigration Policy

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