Japan expressed disappointment regarding President Joe Biden’s recent remarks characterizing “xenophobia” as a hindrance to economic progress in Asian countries, including Japan. The nation’s top government spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, conveyed this sentiment during a press briefing on Tuesday. While Hayashi refrained from providing further details, he emphasized that the comment did not accurately reflect Japan’s policies and was regrettable.
Despite this discord, Hayashi underscored the enduring strength of Japan’s alliance with the United States, highlighting ongoing efforts to bolster these ties. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s recent visit to Washington yielded plans for enhanced military cooperation and collaborative endeavors spanning missile technology to space exploration, aimed at reinforcing the partnership, particularly in response to regional challenges posed by China and Russia.
Biden’s remarks, made during a fundraising event for his reelection campaign, attributed America’s economic growth partly to immigration, contrasting it with what he perceived as stagnation in countries like China, Japan, Russia, and India due to their reluctance towards immigrants. Japan, known for its cultural homogeneity, has traditionally maintained cautious policies on immigration, despite demographic challenges such as a declining birth rate and an aging population, which foreshadow future labor shortages.
In a recent interview with Newsweek, Prime Minister Kishida acknowledged the need to address Japan’s demographic decline by considering the recruitment of skilled foreign workers. However, he ruled out the implementation of a comprehensive immigration program, citing societal reservations towards perpetual and large-scale immigration.
Kishida emphasized a selective approach, focusing on attracting highly skilled and motivated individuals to contribute to Japan’s society and economy. Nevertheless, he acknowledged lingering resistance within Japanese society towards the notion of extensive immigration from overseas.