Japan tells U.S. that Biden's 'xenophobia' comment is regrettable

Ahh, boohoo. They're still butthurt about this comment? Dang.

By the way, how's that cheap labor program going on?

Still waiting for the apology from President Biden. There are around 1.5 million Americans of Japanese origin - and many of them do vote, Mr. President.

"For highly capable and motivated workers to be invited into Japan to provide support to Japanese society is what we would like to enable," Kishida said.

"There are still some in Japanese society who are resistant to the idea of continuous, indefinite immigration of labor from overseas."

Well stated by Kishida. Inviting highly-skilled and super-motivated foreign guest workers into Japan to assist Japanese people and society for several years is the best solution. Since there is no "labor shortage" in reality, probably 800.000 over 5 years - as planned - is too high. In any case, if Japanese society really was xenophobic, none of these foreign workers would be permitted to ply their trade in Japan.

"Xenophobia is stifling the Asian nation's economic growth..."

Sounds about right.

Japan pride itself as being a second class,at the mercy of the US

In the uk and us two of the most welcoming countries in the world crime is out of control, it’s unsafe to walk the streets at night, kids are killing kids with knives, drugs are rife-Biden thinks Japan should aspire to be like that?

Mr Kishida should be very cautious about opening Japan’s borders to all and sundry, what makes Japanese society so wonderful is that it’s not like those countries, if it becomes more multi cultural all the problems that come with it will be here in Japan-and once the box has been opened it’s very difficult to shut it closed again..

Mr Kishida should be very cautious about opening Japan’s borders to all and sundry

Agree, but if they don't take a slow and steady approach now, I'm afraid this is what will happen. They may feel the pressure to ramp up and will definitely lead to disaster. And the Japan we all know and love will be gone. Slow methodic approach should be the focus.

Japan is not so stupid as to ignore the crime problem in the United States.

MoskolloToday 05:02 pm JST

In the uk and us two of the most welcoming countries in the world crime is out of control, it’s unsafe to walk the streets at night, kids are killing kids with knives, drugs are rife-Biden thinks Japan should aspire to be like that?

Literally the only place you have to worry about going out at night or drug dealers is in the downtowns.

Well, I don't think the president regrets it at all and I see the government is STILL smarting from the truth hitting a serious nerve. Live with it. I mean, you can't think "Japanese Only" signs mean you are very welcoming. Taro Aso and the late Shintaro Ishihara sure had their negative things to say about foreigners, so why can't the president say how he feels? JT will later censor this and all the relevant comments with the most down votes and then close this article to comments but it won't change a thing.

Jeez, a stream of consciousness brain fart by the President of the United States. What's new?

Countries like Japan have every right to determine their own immigration policies, and if they aren't keen on mass immigration, I'm fine with that.

Unlike the US, Japan is a cohesive, ridiculously safe and harmonious nation. Medical care is phenomenally cheap and accessible, social outreach programs are caring and extensive, and there is oxygen given to bizarre lunatic fringe social experiments like the pronoun movement.

I know where I would rather be.

Stick to the point, people. There are many things being written about crime, etc but the president was talking about xenophobia. On that point, he is no doubt correct.

Welcoming (legal) immigrants has made the U.S. what it is.

But (illegal) immigrants are a major problem. And at the top of political debates.

Comparing the economies of nations like China, Japan, India on the basis of immgration is utterly off the mark and simply stupid. As Biden is running against a candidate who has practically made saying something stupid a personal trademark, he needs speechwriters and advisors to muzzle him and prevent falling into the other guy's camp.

Stick to the point, people. There are many things being written about crime, etc but the president was talking about xenophobia. On that point, he is no doubt correct.

That's not the point of his speech.

Mr Biden’s statements are regrettable and it shows why neither he, nor the former Insurrectionist-in-Chief, are fit to be the next President of the United States of America (POTUS).

It is hoped that neither one would be designated by either the Democratic Party, nor by the Republican (Trumpian) Party to be on the ballot in November.

We the People of the United States of America deserve better.

What is regrettable for Japan is that the US lumps Japan togetherJapan with China and Russia. This one must’ve hurt. Japan has worked so hard to be accepted by the West.

Had Biden only said Japan is xenophobic without mention of the other countries Japan wouldn’t be crying.

One Day remember what you all say Japan will be overpopulated by the foreigner’s they call us and we will thank them for the welcoming of so called skilled worker’s.Thank you Japan…

John KennedyToday 06:22 pm JST

Many Japanese may be surprised that the crime rate among foreigners living in Japan is lower than the crime rate of the Japanese themselves.

> And that isn’t my opinion. It’s a statistical fact. Check it yourself

True, but you'd be hard pressed to find one in ten in the Japanese population who actually believes that. The police do a "good" job of reporting on foreign crime by the annual simplistic statement that foreign crime has gone up.

It wasn’t diplomatic for sure but I guess the truth hurts.

pro-LDP religious cults dislike foreign labours and LDP obeying them, harassments or human rights violation or violence that foreign trainees had been suffered, Immigration bureau staff disrespecting even the lives, capital governor trivializing massacre based on discrimination,

There are still xenophobia at everywhere of society or authorities or power of Japan.

"For highly capable and motivated workers to be invited into Japan to provide support to Japanese society is what we would like to enable," Kishida said.

"There are still some in Japanese society who are resistant to the idea of continuous, indefinite immigration of labor from overseas."

I disagree with Mr. Kishida, the Japanese People are more than welcoming and willing to contribute to Japans prosperity side by side with Immigrants.

It is not the people it is the LDP and those in power who are terrified of Immigrants demanding full REPRESENTATION.

Still waiting for the apology from President Biden. There are around 1.5 million Americans of Japanese origin - and many of them do vote, Mr. President.

I will respond to this in a similar way you've responded to so many foreigners in Japan especially those who were upset with Japan's border policies during Covid: if Japanese-Americans are so upset by President Biden's comments, they are more than welcome to move to Japan.