Biden Labels US Ally Japan 'Xenophobic' Alongside Russia, China, and India

President Joe Biden referred to close US ally Japan as "xenophobic" during a Washington, D.C. fundraiser on Wednesday, just weeks after praising the US-Japan alliance at a state dinner.

According to an official White House transcript released Thursday, Biden argued that Japan, along with India, Russia, and China, would perform better economically if they embraced immigration more.

"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," Biden said.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified on Thursday that Biden was attempting to make a larger point about the US being a nation of immigrants and that he was making a "broad comment" about Japan and India.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he wasn't aware of any communications between the White House and the governments of Japan or India regarding Biden's remarks.

The president's comments come less than a month after he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit, during which he said Japan and the US share "the same values, the same commitment to democracy and freedom to dignity."

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At a Washington, D.C. fundraiser on Wednesday, President Joe Biden referred to close US ally Japan as "xenophobic," alongside India, Russia, and China.
According to an official White House transcript released Thursday, Biden argued that these countries would perform better economically if they embraced immigration more.
The president said, "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."
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified on Thursday that Biden was attempting to make a larger point about the US being a nation of immigrants and that he was making a "broad comment" about Japan and India.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he wasn't aware of any communications between the White House and the governments of Japan or India regarding Biden's remarks.