Japan Tells US That Biden’s ‘Xenophobia’ Comment Is Regrettable 

US President Joe Biden speaks during a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 06 May 2024. (EPA)
US President Joe Biden speaks during a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 06 May 2024. (EPA)
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Japan Tells US That Biden’s ‘Xenophobia’ Comment Is Regrettable 

US President Joe Biden speaks during a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 06 May 2024. (EPA)
US President Joe Biden speaks during a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 06 May 2024. (EPA)

Japan has described as "regrettable" US President Joe Biden's comment that "xenophobia" is stifling the Asian nation's economic growth, the top government spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Last week Biden said "xenophobia" in economies from China to Japan and India was hobbling their growth, while arguing at a Washington fund-raising event that migration has been good for the US economy.

"We lodged representations to the United States that the comment was not based on the correct understanding of Japan's policy and regrettable," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a regular news conference, without elaborating.

Hayashi was quick to add, however, that Japan's ties with its security ally the United States were more solid than ever, and Tokyo will strive to make them even stronger.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Washington in April for a summit with Biden and unveiled plans for military co-operation and projects from missiles to moon landings, so as to strengthen ties with an eye to countering China and Russia.

At last week's event to raise funds for his 2024 re-election campaign, Biden said, "One of the reasons why our economy's growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants."

"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."

Japan, which prides itself on its homogeneity, has long been reticent about immigration, although its falling birth rate and a rapidly ageing population point to an acute labor shortage in the coming decades.

Asked in a Newsweek interview if he wanted to spur immigration to reverse the population decline, Kishida said Japan must consider inviting skilled workers, but ruled out a full-fledged immigration program.

"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 in the interview, published last week.

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



Kremlin Rejects Charge It Did Little to Help Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C, back) attends a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (C, front) at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 23 June 2025.  EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL
Russian President Vladimir Putin (C, back) attends a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (C, front) at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 23 June 2025. EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL
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Kremlin Rejects Charge It Did Little to Help Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C, back) attends a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (C, front) at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 23 June 2025.  EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL
Russian President Vladimir Putin (C, back) attends a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (C, front) at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 23 June 2025. EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL

The Kremlin on Tuesday pushed back against criticism that it had not done enough to back Iran, saying it had taken a "clear position" by condemning US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

President Vladimir Putin has condemned what he called "unjustified" US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, with which he signed a strategic cooperation treaty in January. He said on Monday that Russia would try to help the Iranian people, although he gave no specifics.

Iranian sources told Reuters earlier this week that Tehran had not been impressed with Russia's support so far.

Asked about comparisons to the toppling last year of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, when Moscow refused to send troops or more air power to keep its ally in power, the Kremlin said some people were trying to spoil the Russian-Iranian partnership.

"Russia actually supported Iran with its clear position," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had appreciated Moscow's stance when he met Putin on Monday.

It was still too early to assess the extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear facilities, Peskov said.

"Some information is coming through the appropriate channels, but it is still too early," Peskov said. "Hardly anyone has a clear understanding right now."

Asked about a Reuters report that Araghchi had brought a letter to Putin from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Peskov said there had been no written document handed over.

"The fact that there were certain messages from the Iranian leadership is true. But this Reuters report is not true," Peskov said.

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday a complete ceasefire between Israel and Iran, potentially ending the 12-day war that saw millions flee Tehran and prompted fears of further escalation in the war-torn region.

"If it has really been possible to achieve a ceasefire, then this can only be welcomed," Peskov said, adding that Qatar had helped to broker the ceasefire.

"This is what the Russian Federation has been calling for since the very beginning of this conflict. Therefore, yes, this can and should be welcomed, and we hope that this will be a sustainable ceasefire."