President Biden on Wednesday called longtime ally Japan "xenophobic," along with China and Russia, blaming their economies' recent performances on racial prejudice.
The president made those remarks during an off-camera fundraiser to mark the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month in Washington, D.C., three weeks after he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife for an elaborate state dinner at the White House.
"You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others —why?" the president said. "Because we welcome immigrants. We look to — the reason — look, think about it. Why is China stalling so bad economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? ... Because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong! Not a joke. That's not hyperbole. Because we have an influx of workers who want to be here and contribute. This community's vote will be critical in — from Virginia to George to Nevada. I know we could do a lot together. A lot more."
The White House has not responded with a request to clarify his remarks.
It remains to be seen how the president's remarks behind closed doors will be received by Japanese officials. During a recent meeting with Kishida, Mr. Biden emphasized the strong bond between the two nations, referring to their relationship as "unbreakable." He also highlighted their shared values, commitment to democracy, and respect for freedom and dignity.
Compared to other advanced economies in the Group of Seven, Japan has the lowest immigration rate, with immigrants accounting for no more than 2% of its population.
In contrast, in the United States, foreign-born immigrants make up approximately 14% of the total population, as reported by the Census Bureau.
