Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing intense criticism after a podcast clip surfaced showing him making a sexist joke and inappropriate gestures about "Japanese melons," a gift from Japan's female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Former Japanese ambassadors and opposition figures have called for an official apology.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia is under political pressure after a podcast interview clip on "Bush Deep" resurfaced, with the opposition demanding he apologize to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for a joke about two Japanese melons given by the Japanese leader during her visit to Australia in May.
The incident occurred during a conversation with podcast host Nikki Osborne, where Albanese described receiving a "rather unusual gift" of Japanese melons from Takaichi, then raised his hands near his chest and made a pun about "two melons." Osborne then compared Takaichi's appearance to Pamela Anderson, the American actress and model.
Although the conversation aired in July without causing major controversy at the time, it was reignited after Shingo Yamagami, former Japanese ambassador to Australia, called the remarks a "sexist joke" and said it damages the close relationship between the two countries.
Yamagami wrote in an opinion piece that the last thing Takaichi expected was for a strategic partner's leader to mock her gift carelessly. He noted that the high-quality "Crown Melon" is a premium fruit and a valuable gift in Japan, with a single melon potentially costing over 30,000 yen (around 6,200 baht).
Yamagami urged Albanese to appreciate the melons without associating them with women's physical attributes and to focus instead on the cooperation essential between Australia and Japan.
When questioned by the opposition in parliament on Tuesday about whether he would apologize for remarks considered disrespectful and insulting to women, Albanese responded that he "denies the allegations implied in the question" and affirmed that Takaichi is both a friend of Australia and a personal friend.
Albanese also stated that relations between Australia and Japan have never been closer, and his government has elevated the strategic partnership between the two countries to a new level.
Angus Taylor, leader of the Australian opposition, criticized the remarks as disrespectful and called on Albanese to issue a direct apology to Takaichi.
However, several ministers in the Labor government defended the prime minister, saying his remarks were not intended to be interpreted in the way the opposition and some media have presented.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the prime minister has clearly explained that he did not intend the comments to be interpreted as the opposition alleges, while Treasurer Katy Gallagher said the remarks were not meant to be insulting. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek added that such an interpretation is "entirely unnecessary."
This issue arose shortly after Albanese faced criticism for remarks on the same podcast about Australian singer Kylie Minogue. When asked if he would "have sex, marry, or date" Minogue, Nicole Kidman, or actress Rhonda Burchmore, Albanese jokingly chose Minogue and implied he was open to any option. After the backlash, he issued a formal apology for those comments.
Regarding the melon incident involving Takaichi, Albanese continues to deny any intent to insult and refuses to apologize, amid concerns the matter may affect Australia's diplomatic image and relations with Japan, with which it closely cooperates on security, economic, and strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific region.