Japan has expressed disappointment over recent comments made by US President Joe Biden, in which he referred to some Asian nations as "xenophobic."
As reported by Tokyo-based Kyodo News, the Japanese government conveyed to Washington that Biden's remarks did not reflect an accurate understanding of Japan's policy.
During a recent campaign fundraiser in the nation's capital, Biden said: "You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants. 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."
He further added, "Immigrants is what makes us strong. Not a joke. That's not hyperbole. Because we have an influx of workers who want to be here and just contribute."
Meanwhile, on Thursday, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre explained that Biden emphasized the value of being a nation built by immigrants, a label the US often uses for itself.
She said, "He was talking about the importance of being a country of immigrants, especially as you see the attacks that we have seen very recently in the last couple of years on immigrants in particular."
When asked if the president would use the same words again, Jean-Pierre responded, "That is up to the president, you know, he is the president."
