Sunday, May 12, 2024
Islamabad (Urdu Point. DW Urdu. May 12, 2024) The Tokyo government has expressed "disappointment" over the comment of US President Joe Biden, in which he called Japan "xenophobic". President Biden made the same comment about Japan as well as India, China and Russia while addressing a fundraising event on the evening of May 1.
He compared the economic situation of these countries with the United States and said that the reason for the growth in the American economy is the immigrants.
He blamed Japan's economic problems on xenophobic attitudes, “Why is China so badly stagnant? Why is Japan facing problems? Why are there such situations in Russia and India? The reason is that they are xenophobic towards foreigners.
They don't want immigrants with them. Immigrants make us stronger.
Kyodo News quoted a government official as saying that the Tokyo government has informed the United States through diplomatic channels that President Biden's remarks on Japanese policies were not based on a "correct understanding." Meanwhile, many Japanese and foreign residents have also expressed their disagreement with President Biden's choice of words.
White House officials are now trying to downplay the severity of the issue. White House spokeswoman Karen Jean-Pierre told reporters that President Biden was simply highlighting how America has a tradition of welcoming immigrants.
A White House spokesperson added, “Our allies and partners know very well that President Biden holds them in high regard.
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Many Japanese are not only offended by the choice of words, but also angry that Japan has been compared to China and Russia. Both countries are accused of human rights abuses and have historically had strained diplomatic relations with Japan.
'Xenophobia is too strong a word'
African-American Malcolm Adams has been living in Japan for the last 48 years and he also thinks that the word used by the American president for Japan is not correct.
"It is true that Japan has historically had strict immigration policies," he told DW. But the significant strides this country has made in recent years to welcome and accommodate foreign workers must be acknowledged."
According to the now 74-year-old Adams, Japan recognizes that it faces a social crisis with an aging population. are being opened.
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According to Adams, he himself feels accepted by Japanese society, "This country is changing and its efforts to deal with population problems should be applauded rather than criticized."
Ken Kato, a businessman from Tokyo, is also very angry with the US President's comment. He said, "This allegation is completely wrong and unfair.
I would say that the Japanese nation is one of the most welcoming nations in the world, which is the exact opposite of what Biden said."
Kato pointed out that historically, modern Japan opened up to the outside world and foreign ideas in 1868 during the Meiji period.
Discriminatory policing
"To generalize that all Japanese dislike or don't welcome foreigners is completely unfounded," says Teppi Kasai, program officer for Human Rights Watch in Japan.
He admits, however, that "certain aspects" of Japanese society can be perceived as less accepting of foreigners.
There are reports that it becomes difficult for foreigners to rent a house because Japanese landlords are reluctant to accept foreign tenants. On the other hand, there is also a legal case against the police for allegedly stopping foreigners and questioning ordinary Japanese.
What do the statistics say?
Obtaining a residence permit in Japan can be a difficult task. The Japan Times, citing data from a recent Justice Ministry report, wrote that Japan accepted only 303 refugee applications out of 13,823 applicants in 2023. In 2022, this number was 202.
Such policies of Japan have been criticized by human rights groups.
A large number of the people of this country seem to be against foreigners coming and taking jobs in the country.
According to a poll conducted in April by Japan's Asahi newspaper, 62 percent of Japanese support the government's policy of granting more visas to foreign skilled workers. In 2018, that support was only 44 percent, and resistance to mass immigration remains widespread in some quarters.
The attitude reflects Japan's general mood against "unrestricted immigration," according to Tokyo businessman Ken Kato. "I don't see it as xenophobia, it's just a sensitive policy."
