Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing renewed criticism over comments he made about two melons presented to him by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, after a former Japanese ambassador described the remarks as insulting.
During an appearance on the Bush Deep podcast, Albanese gestured near his chest while discussing the crown melons, describing them as “pretty strange” gifts that “ended up being quite good”.
The podcast episode, which aired in July, had already drawn controversy over separate remarks Albanese made about pop star Kylie Minogue.
Opposition calls for apology
The controversy resurfaced after former Japanese ambassador to Australia Shingo Yamagami described Albanese’s remarks as a “sexist joke” and said they had “betrayed the close bond” between Japan and Australia.
Yamagami wrote in an opinion piece published by The Australian on Monday that Takaichi would not have expected to be “so casually mocked by the trusted leader of Japan’s special strategic partner”.
Takaichi’s team had presented Albanese with two crown melons during her visit to Australia in May.
During the podcast, host and comedian Nikki Osborne joked: “She brought two… She just came in looking like Pamela Anderson.”
“She brought two, and they are beautiful,” Albanese replied.
Yamagami said crown melons are among Japan’s most prized fruits and are regarded as something special, adding that a single melon can cost more than 30,000 yen, or about US$188.
“So, prime minister, please enjoy Japan’s sweet and juicy melons without thinking about a woman’s anatomy, and instead focus on what our two countries must do together,” he wrote.
The exchange attracted relatively little attention when the podcast first aired but later returned to the spotlight following Yamagami’s criticism.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor called the remarks “insulting” and demanded that Albanese personally apologise to Takaichi.
On Tuesday, an opposition MP also asked Albanese whether he would apologise for what were described as “foul-mouthed, classless comments about women”.
Albanese said he rejected the assertion made in the question.
“Australia and Japan have never been closer. My government has taken our special strategic partnership to new heights,” he said.
Albanese says joke was not his
Albanese’s position is that it was the podcast host, rather than him, who made the joke.
Several ministers from his government have also defended him, arguing that his comments had been misinterpreted by the former envoy and sections of the media.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the remarks “were not intended to be interpreted the way that our political opponents and some media outlets are reporting”.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek described the controversy as “a completely unnecessary interpretation of what the prime minister said”.
“I think people watching it for themselves can make their own minds up,” Plibersek told Australia’s Channel Seven.
Earlier controversy over Kylie Minogue remarks
The latest criticism follows another controversy involving Albanese’s appearance on the same podcast.
During the interview, Osborne asked him whether he would “shag, marry or date” Kylie Minogue, actress Nicole Kidman or entertainer Rhonda Burchmore.
Albanese replied: “Kylie, clearly… all of the above.”
The remarks triggered widespread criticism, and Albanese later issued a public apology.
“I apologise unequivocally for the comments,” he said.
Osborne, known for posting crude comedy sketches on YouTube, launched her podcast series earlier this year. Her podcast website describes her as a “wildly inappropriate journalist” who asks “questions no one else would dare”.
