In a recent response to President Biden's remarks claiming that Japan is "xenophobic" for not accepting more immigrants, the Japanese government has conveyed its disappointment and clarified its policies to the United States. The comments made by President Biden during a campaign fundraiser raised eyebrows among Japanese officials, who promptly sought explanations from the Biden administration.

According to Japanese officials at the embassy in Washington, D.C., they engaged in discussions with the Biden administration to seek clarity on the president's comments. The embassy officials were reportedly informed that President Biden's words were not intended to be derogatory and were made in the context of highlighting the strength of the United States as a nation of immigrants. The embassy said, "We are aware that the U.S. government has clarified that President Biden's comment was made in the context of explaining that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants and that immigrants make the U.S. stronger."

However, Japanese officials also expressed their disappointment, stating that President Biden's "xenophobic" comments were not based on an accurate understanding of Japan's policies. They described the situation as "unfortunate" and emphasized that they had raised their concerns and reiterated Japan's positions and policies to the U.S. government.

The Japanese government maintained a diplomatic tone in its response, underscoring the strength of the Japan-U.S. relationship. They highlighted Prime Minister Kishida's official visit in April, stating that it demonstrated the robust nature of the bilateral tie between the two countries. The government affirmed its commitment to work with the United States to further strengthen their relationship.

Following the controversy, several Japanese lawmakers took to social media to express their confusion or skepticism regarding President Biden's comments. Mizuho Umemura, a member of the conservative Nippon Ishin no Kai Party, suggested that migration is a challenge faced by many countries, including in Europe. She expressed hope that President Biden would focus on addressing the issue in the United States before making such statements and stressed that Japan did not need to follow suit depending on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

Sohei Kamiya, a member of the right-wing populist Sansei Party, was more forthright in his response, stating, "It's not that we're xenophobic, we are being cautious after seeing your failures. You are meddling too much in our internal affairs."

The Japanese government's measured response and its emphasis on the strength of the Japan-U.S. relationship show a commitment to maintaining a constructive dialogue despite the disagreement over President Biden's comments. As both countries navigate various challenges, including immigration policies, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact their future interactions.