President Joe Biden has called Japan and India “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants, lumping the two with adversaries China and Russia as he tried to explain their economic circumstances and contrasted the four with the U.S. on immigration.
Quick Read
- Biden Labels Japan and India as Xenophobic: President Joe Biden described Japan and India as “xenophobic” nations that resist welcoming immigrants, during remarks at a campaign fundraising event.
- Context of Remarks: The comments were made while contrasting the immigration policies of Japan and India with those of the U.S., suggesting that their economic challenges are partly due to their immigration stances.
- International Relations Impact: The statement follows recent high-profile visits from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both of whom celebrated strong ties with the U.S.
- White House Clarification: White House national security spokesman John Kirby emphasized that Biden’s remarks were intended to highlight the positive impact of immigration in the U.S. and reaffirmed the value Biden places on international alliances and partnerships.
- Background on Japan and India’s Policies: Japan is known for its restrictive immigration policy but has made recent changes to address labor shortages due to its declining population. India, now the world’s most populous nation, has introduced controversial citizenship laws that exclude Muslims from neighboring countries, reflecting its complex religious and demographic dynamics.
- Timing of Comments: Biden’s statements occurred during a fundraiser celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, highlighting the significant role of immigration in America’s economic and cultural strength.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden calls Japan & India ‘Xenophobic’ nations that do not welcome immigrants
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
President Joe Biden has called Japan and India “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants, lumping the two with adversaries China and Russia as he tried to explain their economic circumstances and contrasted the four with the U.S. on immigration.
The remarks, at a campaign fundraising event Wednesday evening, came just three weeks after the White House hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a lavish official visit, during which the two leaders celebrated what Biden called an “unbreakable alliance,” particularly on global security matters.
The White House welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi for a state visit last summer.
Japan is a critical U.S. ally. And India, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, is a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific despite differences on human rights.
At a hotel fundraiser where the donor audience was largely Asian American, Biden said the upcoming U.S. election was about “freedom, America and democracy” and that the nation’s economy was thriving “because of you and many others.”
“Why? Because we welcome immigrants,” Biden said. “Look, think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they’re xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants.”
The president added: “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 want to contribute.”
There was no immediate reaction from either the Japanese or Indian governments. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Biden was making a broader point about the U.S. posture on immigration.
“Our allies and partners know well in tangible ways how President Biden values them, their friendship, their cooperation and the capabilities that they bring across the spectrum on a range of issues, not just security related,” Kirby said Thursday morning when asked about Biden’s “xenophobic” remarks. “They understand how much he completely and utterly values the idea of alliances and partnerships.”
Biden’s comments came at the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and he was introduced at the fundraiser by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., one of two senators of Asian American descent. She is a national co-chair for his reelection campaign.
Japan has acknowledged issues with its shrinking population, and the number of babies born in the country in 2023 fell for the eighth straight year, according to data released in February. Kishida has called the low birth rate in Japan “the biggest crisis Japan faces” and the country has long been known for a more closed-door stance on immigration, although Kishida’s government has, in recent years, shifted its policies to make it easier for foreign workers to come to Japan.
Meanwhile, India’s population has swelled to become the world’s largest, with the United Nations saying it was on track to reach 1.425 billion. Its population also skews younger. Earlier this year, India enacted a new citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalization for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who fled to India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. But it excludes Muslims, who are a majority in all three nations. It’s the first time that India has set religious criteria for citizenship.
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