Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been accused of making “disrespectful remarks” about Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, after a podcast appearance in which he used suggestive language and gestures to describe a gift of melons from the Japanese leader.
Podcast Comments Spark Controversy
Appearing on the Bush Deep podcast last Friday, Albanese revealed that Takaichi had gifted him “royal melons” during her state visit to Australia. The melons, grown in Shizuoka, were presented to celebrate Australia reopening its market to Japanese melon imports.
During the podcast, host Nikki Osborne jokingly asked if Takaichi had smuggled the melons into the country, making a hand gesture and referring to Pamela Anderson. Albanese replied: “Got a couple of melons,” copying the suggestive action around his chest. He added: “She brought two, as you do … and they're beautiful.”
Criticism and Calls for Apology
Opposition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson called for Albanese to apologise to Takaichi, describing the comments as “crude locker room talk.” The remarks come shortly after Albanese was forced to apologise for saying he would “shag” Kylie Minogue during a celebrity game of “shag, marry, date” on the same podcast.
In that segment, host Osborne asked Albanese to choose between Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore. After initially hesitating, Albanese said he would choose Kylie for all three options. He later issued a statement saying: “I apologise unequivocally for the comments.”
Government Response
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, who stepped up while Albanese is on a visit to the Pacific, stated the government is “utterly committed” to the elevation of women. Speaking to ABC, Marles said: “From time to time, we obviously do different interviews to the one we are doing now, but I think the other point to make here is that the government that the PM leads is the first in history that has had equality in terms of the number of men and women in cabinet.”
