Biden Says Japan's Economic Struggles Are Due to Xenophobia
Summary from the AllSides News Team
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Japan is struggling economically because of xenophobia and a reluctance to welcome immigrants.
For Context: Biden reportedly made the comment while speaking at a campaign fundraiser in Washington, D.C. The comment made headlines due to Japan being a key U.S. ally in Asia.
Key Quote: Biden stated, “This election is about freedom, America and democracy. That’s why I badly need you. You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants.” Biden added, “The reason — look, think about it. 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. Immigrants are what makes us strong. Not a joke; that’s not hyperbole. Because we have an influx of workers who want to be here and want to contribute.”
How the Media Covered It: Coverage from the Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) called Biden’s comment “one of the harshest criticisms of the country by a U.S. president since the end of World War II,” and included multiple quotes critical of Biden. NBC News (Lean Left bias) also included critical quotes, but added that “many experts would agree with Biden’s statement” and stated that Japan has been “hampered by restrictive immigration laws that make it difficult to gain permanent residency.” The Hill (Center bias) included no quotes other than Biden’s original comment.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Biden calls U.S. ally Japan 'xenophobic,' along with China and Russia
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that U.S. ally Japan was struggling economically because of xenophobia, along with other countries, including China and Russia.
Speaking at a campaign fundraiser in Washington that marked the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Biden said the U.S. economy was growing in part “because we welcome immigrants.”
“Think about it,” he said. “Why is China stalling so bad economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia?”
“Because they’re xenophobic,” he said. “They don’t want immigrants.”
Japan is a longtime...
From the Center
Biden calls Japan, India ‘xenophobic’ on immigration alongside China, Russia
President Biden called Japan and India ‘xenophobic’ at an off-camera campaign fundraiser in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, lumping the U.S. allies in with China and Russia while making the argument that the United States is right to welcome in immigrants.
“This election is about freedom, America and democracy. That’s why I badly need you. You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants,” the president said.
“The reason — look, think about it. Why is China...
From the Right
Biden blasted for attacking ally and comparing Japan to Russia and China: ‘Not something diplomatic to say’
President Joe Biden lumped in longtime ally Japan with Russia and China, denouncing them as “xenophobic,” which drew widespread outrage.
Speaking at a campaign fundraiser on Wednesday that marked Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Biden credited the United States’s economic power to immigrants, using China, Russia, and Japan as a contrast.
“Why is China stalling so badly economically, why is Japan having trouble, why is Russia, why is India, because they’re xenophobic,” he said, according to Reuters. “They don’t want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us...
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