Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing backlash for a comment he made about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a podcast recording, which has been labelled 'sexist' and 'ungracious' by critics.
Comment on Melon Gift
During the Bush Deep podcast episode, Albanese was asked about the worst gift he had received while in office. He recounted a 'pretty strange' present from Takaichi, Japan's first female Prime Minister, describing it as a 'royal melon'.
When host Nikki Osborne suggested Takaichi might have 'smuggled it', Albanese gestured with his hands and said, 'Got a couple melons!' He later added, 'She brought two. And they're beautiful.'
Criticism from Former Ambassador
Shingo Yamagami, former Japanese ambassador to Australia, slammed the comments in a column, calling them 'sexist' and 'ungracious'. He wrote that Takaichi 'expected' respect, and the joke might be how Albanese is remembered by Japanese who value the friendship with Australia.
Japanese commentators have also criticised Albanese, though the Japanese government has not commented. In Australia, opposition leader Angus Taylor said the remarks were 'beneath the office of Prime Minister' and called for a personal apology, adding, 'The hypocrisy of Labor and the prime minister on this topic knows no bounds.'
Albanese's Office Responds
Albanese's office rejected Taylor's statement, saying, 'This assertion is wrong.'
This is the second controversy from the same podcast. Last month, Albanese apologised for suggesting he would 'shag' Kylie Minogue when asked who he would date among Aussie celebrities. He initially dodged the question, citing his recent marriage to Jodie Haydon.
