Australia PM Faces Backlash Over Comments on Japanese Melon Gifts
Anthony Albanese has come under fire for remarks he made about two melons gifted to him by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a visit to Australia. The comments aired on the Bush Deep podcast and were later described as a “sexist joke” by Japan’s former ambassador to Canberra, Shingo Yamagami.
During the podcast, Albanese gestured with his hand toward the chest while describing the crown melons as “pretty strange” gifts that turned out to be “quite good.” The host, comedian Nikki Osborne, had earlier joked that Takaichi arrived “looking like Pamela Anderson” as she presented the melons.
Opposition leaders, led by Angus Taylor, have demanded that Albanese issue a personal apology. The PM maintains that he was not the source of the joke, blaming the host for the misinterpretation.
Yamagami’s criticism noted that crown melons are highly prized in Japan, with a single fruit costing more than 30,000 yen, and urged the PM to focus on bilateral cooperation rather than “thinking about a woman's anatomy.” The envoy’s opinion piece appeared in The Australian.
Albanese’s comments have also faced scrutiny earlier in the year when he appeared on the same podcast and responded to a question about whether he would “shag, marry or date” Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman or Rhonda Burchmore. He replied “Kylie, clearly… all of the above,” leading to calls for an apology. The PM later issued a public apology, stating: "I apologise unequivocally for the comments."
Several Labor ministers defended Albanese, saying the media had misinterpreted his remarks. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the comments were not intended to be interpreted as offensive, and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek referred audiences to their own judgment, calling the criticism a “completely unnecessary interpretation.”
The incident underscores the sensitivity of diplomatic gestures and how they can be interpreted by the media and public. It also highlights the ongoing tension over Australia's strategic relationship with Japan and public expectations of decorum from their leaders.
