Biden’s ‘xenophobic’ comments about Japan spark backlash at home, overseas

President Joe Biden’s comments on Wednesday, May 1, are drawing criticism after lumping Japan with China and Russia, calling the group “xenophobic.” Speaking at a campaign fundraiser marking Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Biden credited the United States’ economic strength to immigrants, using these countries as contrast.

In his comments, President Biden suggested a lack of diversity in the workforce was behind China’s economic slowdown and Japan’s struggles.

“Because they’re xenophobic,” Biden said. “They don’t want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong.”

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The remarks drew criticism from Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who took his gripes to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

“Biden included an important ally, Japan along with China and Russia as a ‘xenophobic’ country,” Rubio wrote. “That is why his staff doesn’t want him speaking without note cards.”

Japan is one of the closest allies to the U.S., and Biden’s comments rattled some in the country’s government. Several Japanese lawmakers criticized Biden’s comments.

“There aren’t any countries that have solved this migration problem as of now,” said Mizuho Umemura, a member of the conservative Nippon Ishin no Kai Party, who also holds a seat in the House of Councilors. “I hope President Biden will solve the problem in New York before he says things like this.”

“Depending on the presidential election, there could be a 180-degree change in policy, and there is no need for Japan to follow suit,” Umemura said.

Another House of Councilors member and the leader of the populist Sanseitō Party Sohei Kamiya also criticized Biden’s characterization of the country.

“It’s not that we’re xenophobic, we are being cautious after seeing your failures. You are meddling too much in our internal affairs,” Kamiya said.

The White House maintained that Biden was making a broader point about the U.S. posture on immigration.

Meanwhile, Japan is making efforts to tackle its economic challenges, including falling fertility rates and labor shortages. The country aims to attract more foreign workers but faces hurdles due to strict immigration laws. Recent legislation seeks to double the cap on skilled foreign workers and replace an internship program.

Public attitudes in Japan are evolving. Recent surveys show growing support for more foreign workers.

Japan’s economy, once the world’s second largest, recently slipped to fourth as the country fights back from a weak Yen and labor shortages.