Biden calls ally Japan "xenophobic," along with China and Russia

President Biden connected Wednesday called longtime state Japan "xenophobic," on pinch China and Russia, blaming their economies' caller performances connected group prejudice. 

The president made those remarks during an off-camera fundraiser to people nan opening of Asian American and Pacific Islander practice period successful Washington, D.C., 3 weeks aft he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his woman for an elaborate authorities dinner astatine nan White House. 

"You know, 1 of nan reasons why our system is increasing is because of you and galore others —why?" nan president said. "Because we invited immigrants. We look to — nan logic — look, deliberation astir it. Why is China stalling truthful bad economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? ... Because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes america strong! Not a joke. That's not hyperbole. Because we person an influx of workers who want to beryllium present and contribute. This community's ballot will beryllium captious successful —  from Virginia to George to Nevada. I cognize we could do a batch together. A batch more."

The White House has not responded pinch a petition to explain his remarks. 

President Joe Biden, halfway right, and first woman Jill Biden, right, invited Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, halfway left, and his woman Yuko Kishida for a State Dinner astatine nan White House, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, successful Washington. Susan Walsh / AP

It's not clear really nan president's off-camera comments will onshore pinch Japanese officials. Last month, erstwhile Mr. Biden hosted Kishida, he called nan 2 nations' ties "unbreakable," and said nan 2 nations stock nan "same values, nan aforesaid committedness to populist and state to dignity."

Japan has nan lowest migration complaint of nan Group of Seven precocious economies. No much than 2% of its organization are immigrants.

In nan U.S., foreign-born immigrants dress up astir 14% of nan population, according to nan Census Bureau.