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Japan, India reject Biden's comments describing them as xenophobic countries

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By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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Japan said Biden's judgment was not based on an accurate understanding of its policy...

So, enlighten us, Japan. WHY are both your government and people against the idea of large-scale immigration of permanent residents from around the world in light of your demographic situation. Your stance is in stark contrast to just about every other developed country, which have embraced mass immigration.

If you refuse to explain your policies, then hello, you're going to open the door to a lot of "inaccurate understandings."

-19 ( +22 / -41 )

Truth hurts.

-24 ( +29 / -53 )

We likely don’t need a third day (May 5) on a story that was covered extensively on May 2 and 3.

May 3, https://japantoday.com/category/politics/white-house-downplays-biden-calling-japan-xenophobic-country

May 2, https://japantoday.com/category/politics/biden-blames-china-japan-and-india's-economic-woes-on-xenophobia

8 ( +22 / -14 )

Can you really say that when once a decade or so there are Hindu/Muslim riots resulting in hundreds or thousands of deaths and widespread destruction of property? Heck, Dear PM Mobi was Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2002 when more than 1,000 Indians (official figure) died in communal violence.

''I haven’t seen such an open, pluralistic, and diverse society anywhere in the world. We are actually not just not xenophobic, we are the most open, most pluralistic and in many ways the most understanding society in the world,”

-18 ( +9 / -27 )

Japan, reject Biden's comments describing them as xenophobic countries

Try to find apartment as gaijin, see how many limited option you will have as gaijin in Japan.

So Biden got it right.

Japan never welcome foreigners, why Japan opening to accept foreign labor, because Japan want cheap labor especially from Vietnam.

-22 ( +27 / -49 )

Are the Japanese xenophobic?

Biden has stated such.

According to a Japanese friend yesterday, I was told directly that the Japanese, in general, were xenophobic.

As yet, I haven’t seen an NHK poll out there that suggests otherwise…

-8 ( +19 / -27 )

Bidens a walking gaff. Having a swipe at his on loyal allies is just another glaring example. Watching his press secretary trying to downplay this latest miss was just another show of the Democrats circus. Enjoy.

-4 ( +21 / -25 )

Japan is definitely NOT a xenophobic nation. Record numbers of guest workers in the next 5 years (800,000) - and foreign tourists - proves this claim by Biden to be false.

Biden should now apologise to the Japanese people.

2 ( +34 / -32 )

Being called xenophobic by the leader of one of the most racist countries in the world really hurts. But don’t blame Biden. He was just reading what his speech writer wrote.

-16 ( +11 / -27 )

Lots of Japanese cannot handle the truth

-25 ( +17 / -42 )

@fighto

Japan is definitely NOT a xenophobic nation. Record numbers of guest workers in the next 5 years (800,000) - and foreign tourists - proves this claim by Biden to be false.

Why foreign workers, especially cheap one arrived? Because JGovt open the door amid population decline.

Japan need several million foreign worker to keep up with current GDP. New visa for cheap labor category created, from time to time.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/03/33d93e7a99a9-japan-adds-driver-railway-roles-to-skilled-foreign-worker-visa.html

.

Why foreign tourist, because Japan need their money. If Japan want to continues xenophobic it will lost opportunities . Even JGovt make tourist part of their strategy to boost economy

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/01/17/visitor-spending-tops-5-trillion-yen/

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/10/national/tourism-numbers-aim/

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2023/10/20/new-tourist-tax-and-higher-transport-costs-how-japan-is-planning-to-combat-overtourism

-18 ( +10 / -28 )

Japan said Biden's judgment was not based on an accurate understanding of its policy

His judgment isn't based on an accurate understanding of anything.

9 ( +25 / -16 )

Japan does not have birthright citizenship. If you've been reading previous articles even the police admit to racial profiling, and how about the death of Wishma while in Immigrations custody? Tourists won't feel this, they have money and are here temporarily, but trying to live here if you're a foreigner and not white is a different issue altogether. The xenophobia or politely "Japaneseness" is systemic. BTW, Biden needs to take a good look at the U.S. as well. It's history is steeped in xenophobia and racism. This is a universal scourge.

-14 ( +9 / -23 )

MeiyouwentiToday 07:51 am JST

Being called xenophobic by the leader of one of the most racist countries in the world really hurts.

You have to have sizable visible minorities in your country to call a country racist.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

@Meiyowenti

"...one of the most racist countries in the world..."

You need to urgently report that to the more than 10 million people a year - the vast majority of whom are people of color - who file immigration applications to the US government, not the mention the hundreds of thousands of South and Central Americans, Chinese, Africans, etc. and their children massed around the US southern border at any given time, desperate to get inside "one of the most racist countries in the world." They must be masochists, right?

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

Japan said Biden's judgment was not based on an accurate understanding of its policy

The go to refrain when the LDP is presented with pushback against one of its unpopular policies, whether abroad or domestically.

In this point immigration policy and the foreign response, or domestically with the Olympics, redevelopment proposals, crony contracts, sales tax hikes etc.

"You just don't understand, sorry for confusing you, please look more carefully, strive to acheive better communication of our goals".

It is a mealy-mouthed reframing of the actual harm that their policies cause.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Biden like most of the commentators above lacks the understanding of meiwaku. Any outsiders, not only foreigners, in a rice growing culture are meiwaku because you have to redistribute resources (i.e. water) and you can't grow rice alone. That shaped society. My (Japanese) landlord who bought land and built a hose in a rural community told me that it took ten years until he was acknowledged and another ten years until he was really accepted. He was a daikusan so he could contribute to the repairs and maintencance of the local communities shrine. That was his ticket. He could contribute. I am not insinuating that there aren't xenophobic people in Japan, but a lot of complains of foreigners are similar to the experiences of Japanese "people from outside" organically grown communities - including teams at work. Both India and Japan are 'old' societies witha lot of a social undercurrents which are obvious only to insiders.

4 ( +13 / -9 )

There are 195 countries in the world.

Only 33 of them have Birthright citizenship.

So not having birthright citizenship is hardly a measure of xenophobia.

12 ( +21 / -9 )

His judgment isn't based on an accurate understanding of anything.

Precisely.

-8 ( +9 / -17 )

sakurasukiToday  07:02 am JST

Japan, reject Biden's comments describing them as xenophobic countries

Try to find apartment as gaijin, see how many limited option you will have as gaijin in Japan.

No problem for gaijin who meet the same absurdly high hurdles thrown at Japanese renters; work history, personal guarantor, corporate guarantor, etc etc.

6 ( +14 / -8 )

It seems to me the US been a state of immigrants for a long time but Japan has not been. That is all about it. It seems nothing to do with xenophobic. Japanese people actually happily welcome thousands of foreigners coming every year.

6 ( +16 / -10 )

Japanese people actually happily welcome thousands of foreigners coming every year.

Well said. Japanese absolutely love foreigners and foreign culture. They would not be permitting 800,000 foreign guest workers to enter in the next 5 years if they were xenophobic.

Biden couldn't be more wrong if he tried.

As for India - I highly doubt that millions of people are hoping to immigrate/work there, unlike Japan. They have the opposite problem : a drain of their most educated seeking a better life elsewhere.

5 ( +16 / -11 )

The US was built by immigrants. Chinese, Irish, Italian, and Polish who were never treated very well.

2 ( +11 / -9 )

Wallace,why were Black and Hispanic not mentioned

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

@OssanAmerica

No problem for gaijin who meet the same absurdly high hurdles thrown at Japanese renters; work history, personal guarantor, corporate guarantor, etc etc.

In some places they already forbid foreigners right before foreigner try to enter the door,

so it's not the same at all. They don't even bother to have conversation starter in the first place.

https://times.abema.tv/articles/-/8665764?page=1

https://twitter.com/ogawat0802/status/1634770440865611776

-14 ( +7 / -21 )

The most xenophobic country in the world telling other countries that they are xenophobic...

What a circUS..

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

Yes, the US was also built on Black Slavery. Nearly 4 million slaves.

5 ( +15 / -10 )

Man, the truth hurts and they got it from the president of country numero uno! Love it! Feel that sting, big boy? Well, that's pride f***ing with you! Obama also alluded to it back when he was president. I've been to some 40 countries and from day one until now Japan has been by far the most xenophobic and least welcoming. Every day, people go well out of their way to remind you that they don't like you or like you being here. The president spoke the truth. Shoganai, as they say. Korea is a close second to Japan. They both do a good job of (phony) bowing, though. I wasn't in India long enough to get a feel for the place so I can't really comment. I think it was Bill Parcells who once said "You are what your record says you are," but he was referring to football. Works well here too and it made my day.

-21 ( +6 / -27 )

They can protests as much as they want but doesn’t change anything.

I can’t speak for India as I never been there but Japan in certain degrees was always xenophobic.

Maybe some posters here forgot not long ago when the Covid started PR foreigners where not allowed to re enter to the country but national Japanese could for the sole base of national ethnicity and without any scientific proof.

If this wasn’t xenophobic then we must create a new word for such things.

-9 ( +10 / -19 )

Japan is definitely NOT a xenophobic nation. Record numbers of guest workers in the next 5 years (800,000) - and foreign tourists - proves this claim by Biden to be false.

Give us your labor/money and get tf out...

-15 ( +11 / -26 )

Doesn't matter if they accept the comment/label or not when the data supports it.

Change the policies.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Besides the very few and harmless "black van" folks Japan is very welcoming. Come on it, unpack your bag but don't bring whatever your problems and grievances are from where you came from.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Being called xenophobic by the leader of one of the most racist countries in the world

The US is by far the most welcoming country I’ve spent extended time in as a foreigner. The other 2 countries I’ve spent extended time in are Japan and China.

The US the most welcoming by a country mile. No contest.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

There is so much coping going on it's unbelievable.

Japan admitting foreign workers is not proof that they embrace foreigners. How many of those foreign workers are earning a livable wage, have tangible career growth, and can afford homes/the ability to raise children and put them through school? Come on. Even English teachers in Kanto make in the ballpark between 200,000 and 300,000 yen a month. That is literally less than McDonalds employees in the US.

They embrace cheap labor. They want to gain whatever temporary benefit they can get from bringing them here for a short period of time before they eventually go back. Yes, some may stay, but actually consider their quality of life and living conditions. Enough with the intellectual dishonesty.

-11 ( +10 / -21 )

When you think about it, we’re all xenophobic to some degree, some worse than others and some better. Minorities and immigrants have to endure the brunt of xenophobia as they seek a new country which they can call home. Good luck to you.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Give us your labor/money and get tf out...

With great respect, that seems a pretty cynical take.

A significant number of those 800,000 incoming guest workers may well go on to become Japanese passport holders. Some will settle permanently, some will marry Japanese spouses also.

Japan would not permit this if they were xenophobic - or "racist" as some posters are even suggesting.

10 ( +21 / -11 )

When you think about it, we’re all xenophobic to some degree, some worse than others and some better. Minorities and immigrants have to endure the brunt of xenophobia as they seek a new country which they can call home. Good luck to you

Fair point. I think it’s still worth considering degrees of xenophobia in countries overall though.

I think the cheerleaders who claim Japan has no problem with xenophobia are as bad as the xenophobes themselves in some ways.

So unhelpful.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

When India was the richest country in the world, it welcomed the Portuguese, then the Dutch, the Danish, the French and the British with open arms.

The Portuguese, the French and the British decided to stay a few centuries even when they were politely asked to leave. Finally they had to be kicked out, but not by force but simply because the hosts refused to cooperate with the guests any more.

Well, with at least the French and the British this was the case. The Portuguese were politely asked multiple times to follow the lead of their European brethren but they had become too attached to their possessions. So they had to be kicked out by force, but India apologized profusely to them and in return the Portuguese gave those Indians who used to be their subjects and their descendants a right to come any time and return the favour.

So can you really blame Indians for being somewhat xenophobic?

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

Let's review:

-Covid-19: Japan, in the summer of 2020, was encouraging people to travel around the country to spur tourism even though the borders were closed. Then when other countries started opening up in 2021, Japan doubled down on the restrictions, at one point even blamed American troops for Covid surges, and kept their country closed until late 2022, longer than any other country except for China. Universities outside of Japan notably got upset because although they were allowing in Japanese International students, Japan wasn't letting in students from their universities. Basically, Japanese people didn't care if Japanese people spread Covid as long as they symbolically wore masks. But foreigners? No way they could be trusted to not spread the virus.

-Content creation in public: While the borders were closed, many department stores and places around Tokyo began setting up dedicated spaces people (mostly young women) could use to film TikToks or even livestream (I noticed this on every floor of the staircase at Shibuya 109 one time). HOWEVER, when things opened up, the Japanese started getting all hot and bothered by IRL live streamers, to the point where they've even talked about banning it altogether.

-Tourism: I already talked about this a little bit, but even during Covid, cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kyoto had massive crowds of people running around, shoving, leaving trash everywhere, taking selfies and getting in the way of other people, ect. But they didn't even concede this was a problem until international tourists started doing it. So according to them, domestic tourists = good, foreign tourists = bad.

Okay, I could go on and on. But ultimately, this is what I have come to expect from people here: there are double standards if you do something while Japanese versus doing the same thing while foreign.

I do not think Japan needs to change their immigration policy. But what they need to change is their attitude. All of the anti-tourism hysteria and monthly moral panics in Tokyo need to end. What they actually need to focus on fixing their country. They are losing on innovation, they are stagnating technologically, and trends that started in other countries a decade or two ago are just starting here. The political and business leaders of this country have failed and they need to take responsibility.

-14 ( +9 / -23 )

When I visited Denmark I was shocked to see precious gems taken from a small Danish territory in India I had never heard of before.

There's always more history to learn.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Clearly many don't understand the difference between xenophobia and racism

Xenophobia is a phobia

Racism is discrimination

In Japan and the USA both xenophobia and racism exist

However given the obvious fact Japan has a higher homogeneous ethnic population makes it clear Japan is more xenophobic and the USA is more racist and discriminating

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

In Japan and the USA both xenophobia and racism exist

Fair point.

However given the obvious fact Japan has a higher homogeneous ethnic population makes it clear Japan is more xenophobic

Leaving aside discussions about what the homogeneous ethnic groups of the countries are, you can make the point that it’s natural that a more homogeneous ethnic population would tend to be more uncomfortable with outsiders.

and the USA is more racist and discriminating

You completely lost me there. What are you basing this on?

6 ( +10 / -4 )

@MeiyouWeinti

Yes, the US has some racism, but it is far from the most racist country in the world.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Taking in laborers doesn't make you welcoming. Japan is not welcoming. It wants your labor and it wants foreign tourism money, not the person. Every week there's an article crying about foreign tourists doing this or that that makes the people of some town, village or area angry. There's always a need to take foreigners to task for even the most minor perceived offense. Those black vans, bosozoku and election vans can go around blaring all day and no one bats an eye but the cops will be out in a minute if someone on the opposite thin wall from yours thinks your music is too loud. Every day on JT, there is an article about foreigners. Foreign crime is up, foreigners are making too much noise, this place is sacred and foreigners are screwing it up, foreigners, foreigners, foreigners, blah, blah, blah, ad nauseam. President Joe Biden is absolutely correct. You know it, he knows it, I know it and even the JT posters with their heads in the sand know it.

-11 ( +13 / -24 )

Try to find apartment as gaijin, see how many limited option you will have as gaijin in Japan.

Foreigners bring alot of problems unless they do things exactly the way Japanese do.

If your willing to be part of the herd mentality and can get on the same wavelength as the Japanese i think you would be more acceptable

It's not a free country

So Biden got it right.

Biden is a moron

Japan never welcome foreigners, why Japan opening to accept foreign labor, because Japan want cheap labor especially from Vietnam.

They why are their so many foreigners here ?

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

Biden bases this opinion on the way India and China don't encourage immigrants? Why should they? Their countries are almost full to capacity! The U.S.A. is a country founded on immigration. At the expense of the original occupants though!

7 ( +15 / -8 )

There are 1.5 million Americans of Japanese origin. How many of them will now switch their vote in November from Biden to Trump - IF Biden does not apologise?

Could be interesting.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

The Truth is OUT now which the foreigners in Japan knew already.

Just ask Biden without the teleprompter.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

There are 1.5 million Americans of Japanese origin. How many of them will now switch their vote in November from Biden to Trump - IF Biden does not apologise?

Dunno. How many of them vote? Some may agree with his statement.

I met Japanese in Japan who said Japan is uncomfortable with foreigners.

Have you spent much time in Japan?

1 ( +8 / -7 )

and the USA is more racist and discriminating

You completely lost me there. What are you basing this on?

Iam merely pointing out that the USA is an international society where the population isn't as ethnically homogeneous as Japan , therefore it should be obvious that racism is more prevalent due to the facts many races exist in the USA whereas in Japan they don't.

Due to the fact the percentage of non Japanese residents in japan is considerably lower racism is therefore lower with xenophobia higher

I can't say i blame Japanese for not wanting to totally accept foreigns or to be wary of them.

It's a generational thing as once the Japanese born prior to WWII have past on Japan will change dramatically

It's happening

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

You completely lost me there. What are you basing this on?

Iam merely pointing out that the USA is an international society where the population isn't as ethnically homogeneous as Japan , therefore it should be obvious that racism is more prevalent due to the facts many races exist in the USA whereas in Japan they don't

So your point is the US is more racist because it has a larger population, has more races and therefore the people have more opportunities to be racist?

Is that it?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

The most xenophobic country in the world telling other countries that they are xenophobic...

What a circUS..

Impossible, we are the most racially diverse country on the planet. China and Japan can’t say the same thing. Facts.

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

and the USA is more racist and discriminating

Well, if that were true, Obama would have never received 25% of the white vote, so there goes that racial component out of the window.

-13 ( +4 / -17 )

bass4funk

and the USA is more racist and discriminating

> Well, if that were true, Obama would have never received 25% of the white vote, so there goes that racial component out of the window.

Obama was unable to overcome institutionalized racism.

Barack Obama's presidency signaled a "post-racial" America at first, but the racial conflict that followed disproved that.

Obama was unable to remove racism from the justice system.

Racism in America remains today.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Uganda is the most racially diverse country in the world, with 93.02% ethnic fractionalization.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-racially-diverse-countries

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Obama was unable to overcome institutionalized racism.

He didn’t? So you’re saying his Presidency was a failure? Is that correct?

Barack Obama's presidency signaled a "post-racial" America at first, but the racial conflict that followed disproved that.

So you’re saying that Whites voted for him not once, but twice and then after his Presidency they (white people) switched back to being racists?

Obama was unable to remove racism from the justice system.

No one can, racism will always be with us to a point, but at least America has proven to the world that it is not an inherently racist country given the fact that it choose a Black president twice.

Racism in America remains today.

Everywhere in the world.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

China's 57 officially recognized ethnicities say '你好'

China and Japan can’t say the same thing

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

bass4funk

Obama was unable to overcome institutionalized racism.

> He didn’t? So you’re saying his Presidency was a failure? Is that correct?

Obama failed in areas of racism he wanted to succeed. His overall presidency was not a failure.

Barack Obama's presidency signaled a "post-racial" America at first, but the racial conflict that followed disproved that.

So you’re saying that Whites voted for him not once, but twice and then after his Presidency they (white people) switched back to being racists?

25% of whites voting for him did not change the racism. Not all whites are rascist.

Obama was unable to remove racism from the justice system.

No one can, racism will always be with us to a point, but at least America has proven to the world that it is not an inherently racist country given the fact that it choose a Black president twice.

Does not prove there is no racism in the US.

Racism in America remains today.

Everywhere in the world.

So you admit there is racism in the US.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I think there are some who live in a bubble and don’t bother to look outside at readily available facts.

It may be comforting but it just wastes time in serious discussions.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What country welcomes immigrants with open arms? None of them.

Ironically, Americans HATE immigrants. They just haven’t figured out a way to actually secure their borders.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Taking in laborers doesn't make you welcoming. Japan is not welcoming. It wants your labor and it wants foreign tourism money, not the person. Every week there's an article crying about foreign tourists doing this or that that makes the people of some town, village or area angry. There's always a need to take foreigners to task for even the most minor perceived offense. Those black vans, bosozoku and election vans can go around blaring all day and no one bats an eye but the cops will be out in a minute if someone on the opposite thin wall from yours thinks your music is too loud. Every day on JT, there is an article about foreigners. Foreign crime is up, foreigners are making too much noise, this place is sacred and foreigners are screwing it up, foreigners, foreigners, foreigners, blah, blah, blah, ad nauseam. President Joe Biden is absolutely correct. You know it, he knows it, I know it and even the JT posters with their heads in the sand know it.

Mocheake, your comment is 100% factual and I have been saying this for years now.

I don't have a problem with their immigration policy or their rules. I have a problem with double standards and selective enforcement. Conditional morality that changes up depending on who specifically is making a perceived offense. Rampant hypocrisy is everywhere here.

Consider this though - all that combined media and netizen attention, if directed at the gatekeepers of this societies' wealth and prosperity, such as the uber rich that occupy positions in government and business, that could a powerful force for good. The Japanese people are endlessly being misled and manipulated, because powerful entities are keeping them distracted by things that don't really matter. There are endless procedures, processes, rules, and customs that only serve to keep them running around confused and trying to meet some false and impossible expectation, rather than holding those in power accountable. The people at the top invented the rules of this game, even though they don't really have to play by them.

I don't think Biden's comments really mean that much. But at this point, anything that shakes things up and makes the rich oyaajis uncomfortable, I am all for. The people must wake up!

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Ironically, Americans HATE immigrants

Far too harsh.

Not in my experience overall. That would be true of Japan too.

Personally, I have met hateful types in both countries but not too many, and I have lived in an area of the US hardly known as a bastion of open-mindedness and liberalism.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

To justify his failed asylum/immigration policies Joe Biden see fit to turn on his allies/friends India/japan and smear them as xenophobic, words that will be leveraged weaponised, used politically by the Government of China.

You silly old fool. did you think such nonsense would go unnoticed

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Prove it. 

I can

The United States is the most racially diverse, with millions of people from various racial backgrounds. Roughly:

About 60% identify as White

Around 13% identify as Black or African American

Approximately 6% identify as Asian

Around 1% identify as American Indian or Alaska Native

Around 1% identify as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

About 20% identify as Some Other Race or multiracial.

You can't.

Just did

Bass swings, and he misses.

Strike.

As usual.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

The is a link between mass immigration, serious crime, and unscrupulous employers.

It is a danger to communities not to take this fact into consideration when formulating a balanced immigration policy

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Key takeaway: Biden is an idiot.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

bass4funkToday 12:47 pm JST

The most xenophobic country in the world telling other countries that they are xenophobic...

> What a circUS..

> Impossible, we are the most racially diverse country on the planet. China and Japan can’t say the same thing. Facts.

Facts. The U.S. has its problems but you are definitely correct and attacking the U.S. is just a knee-jerk reaction from people with no real argument. The topic here is the comment Biden made about the xenophobia of certain countries. The U.S. is far from that type of country. Some have never been, so they don't know.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Totally unnecessary to politically kick Japan in the goolies, a loyal friend.

This coming US election has nothing to do with J immigration policy, it is a low blow.

Stop spitting on your friends

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Systemic racism is not simply a thing of the past. It is up close and personal in the present.  

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/is-the-united-states-a-racist-country/

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Biden has achieved nothing with his comment. Looking to score election points.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

When I was fresh in Japan, a god father figure told me; "hey boy, my fellow Japanese love you so much because they think you will go back at some point".

How true the 20 something years here have have proven that

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Biden has achieved nothing with his comment. Looking to score election points.

Totally correct. And boy has it backfired on Biden big time.

His advisors will surely advise him to apologise to the Japanese people.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Race in America 2019

Public has negative views of the country’s racial progress; more than half say Trump has made race relations worse

https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2019/04/09/race-in-america-2019/

Six out of ten Americans believe racism against Black people is widespread.

"Sixty-four percent of Americans believe racism against Black people is widespread in the U.S., a slight, but not statistically meaningful, increase from 2016 (61%). It is the highest in the trend of five total readings since 2008, the three most recent of which are 60% or higher."

https://news.gallup.com/poll/352544/larger-majority-says-racism-against-black-people-widespread.aspx

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Biden is wrong. America’s economy is not doing well. When it has done well, it’s not because America allows in immigrants. Japan’s economy isn’t bad because of a lack of immigration.

Today’s immigration in America mostly serves the wealthy elite. Wages for poor people are kept low, ensuring that the rich can have cheap service labor.

If economic prowess depended on immigration, why was the Japanese economy so strong in the 1970s and 1980s, when immigration was far lower than it is today? Why has China’s economy grown into a powerhouse?

Biden’s immigration comment reflects a persistent complaint and goal of globalists. They want and need free movement of labor to keep their global economic and political order afloat.

Really, the economic problem for Japan, America, and many other countries on the globalist merry-go-round is financialization. Banks and hedge funds parasitically sink their teeth into countries’ industries and then leave them for dead. Japan was one of the early victims. Other Asian nations came after. America survives, barely, because it is the central bank—it is the dollar. But even this is showing severe cracks.

Immigration is a pillar of the elite globalist power structure. Some immigration is always necessary and healthy for any country. Mass immigration is not a path to wealth for any nation.

So, yes, Japan is mildly xenophobic. Why take umbrage at this? Embrace it. Keeping Japan Japanese is the only way that the Japanese will keep their nation.

Sadly, though, Japan may already have let this boat sail. Contra Biden’s comment, there are huge numbers of foreigners already living and working in Japan. The bento that you buy? Odds are extremely high that it was made by a Vietnamese, Chinese, or other foreign worker. Why don’t Japan’s low-end wages rise? Because those jobs are filled by foreign workers, who then ship much of their money back out of the country. It’s siphoning wealth away from Japan.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

To justify his failed asylum/immigration policies Joe Biden see fit to turn on his allies/friends India/japan and smear them as xenophobic

Truth.

It's the same game that liberals and progressives have played with those who simply oppose their countries being flooded with illegal economic migrants. Call them racists to shut them up. When most folks are not against legal controlled immigration, they are just against the current state of affairs where anyone without any history of political and religious persecution can simply walk in and claim asylum.

Every country has a right to protect its borders and let in only the people they want. It's not xenophobia, it's common sense.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

It's not difficult to move to Japan and assimilate into the society. I am happy with my decision to have done so. I have experienced few problems over three decades.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

It's not difficult to move to Japan and assimilate into the society. I am happy with my decision to have done so. I have experienced few problems over three decades.

Obviously your experience might not be the same as the experience of say, an African, who might want to move to Japan.

The point here is not to generalize an entire population based on a few anecdotal experiences. As a poster rightly pointed out above, these are old societies with various undercurrents and each have their own specific social situation and politics. You can’t brush all of them as xenophobic just to score a few political points.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

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