Japan has issued a response to US President Joe Biden's recent comments that linked the economic challenges of Japan and other countries to xenophobia and reluctance to accept immigrants. Biden's remarks were made during a campaign event where he grouped allies like Japan and India with rivals China and Russia, suggesting that their economic troubles stem from not being open to immigration. In the statement, Japan expressed its regret over the remarks, stating that they were not based on an accurate understanding of Japan's policies.
The Japanese government clarified that it had already communicated its stance to the White House and reiterated its policies and positions. Biden's comments, which were made shortly after a state dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, led to the White House tempering the statements by emphasizing that the US is a nation built by immigrants and that welcoming immigrants is part of its tradition. The National Security Council spokesman emphasized that Biden's intention was to convey a message about the importance of immigrants to the US.
Despite the initial misunderstanding, Japan acknowledged the US government's explanation and noted that it understood the comments were not meant to undermine the strong and enduring relationship between Japan and the US. The diplomatic incident highlighted the delicate balance in international relations and the need for clear communication to avoid misunderstandings between allies.