Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with U.S. President Joe Biden at a welcome ceremony in Washington on April 10 during his state visit to the United States (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Japan hit back at remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden who referred to America’s key Asian ally as “xenophobic” for not welcoming more immigrants.

Japan informed the U.S. side through diplomatic channels that it was unfortunate that some of Biden’s comments were not based on an accurate understanding of Japanese policies, a government source said May 4.

Japanese officials also explained measures the government has taken to accept foreign workers as well as Japanese perspectives on the issue, the source added.

At a campaign fund-raising event in Washington on May 1, Biden said the U.S. economy is growing partly because the country welcomes immigrants.

He then labeled Japan and three other countries as “xenophobic” over immigration policies.

“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 said.

“Immigrants makes us strong. We have an influx of workers who want to be here and just contribute.”

Biden’s comments came just weeks after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reaffirmed a solid Japan-U.S. alliance during his state visit to the United States.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was trying to emphasize the importance of the United States being a “country of immigrants” and denied any adverse impact on the U.S.-Japan relationship.

“The U.S.-Japan relationship is an important relationship,” she told a news conference on May 2. “We share a commitment to democratic values and strong (bonds) of friendship between our peoples.”

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