Anthony Albanese's comments about melons given to him by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi continue to make headlines weeks after they were made, despite the Japanese government insisting it is more concerned about its economy than the crude double entendre.
The Australian prime minister's remarks, made over a month ago on a podcast, have been depicted by parts of the media as a diplomatic blunder endangering Australia's regional standing. The controversy has escalated, with the opposition referring the leak of a diplomatic note sent by Japan to Australia to the federal police, prompting Housing Minister Clare O'Neil to declare the Liberals have “lost the plot”.
Japan's response: A non-issue
The Japanese government has stated it is more focused on its national economy than the comments. “It was a non-issue in Japan, not even reported by any of the mainstream press,” Shiro Armstrong, professor of economics and director of the Australia-Japan Research Centre at the Australian National University, told the ABC last week.
Former Japanese ambassador to Australia Shingo Yamagami criticised the exchange in The Australian on Monday, but the controversy may be stored away in the minds of Japanese business and political figures for possible future use, with limited immediate impact.
Domestic backlash and political reactions
Some persistent media coverage has elevated the matter to a crisis. Liberal Ted O'Brien told ABC radio on Tuesday morning: “The fact is … here you and I are on our national broadcaster talking about the remarks of the Australian prime minister which implies being vulgar and crude to a female leader …. This is a national embarrassment.”
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC on Tuesday that the melon comments “were not intended to be interpreted the way that our political opponents and some media outlets are reporting”. “I think they've been interpreted in a way that he never intended and absolutely rejects,” she said.
One Nation's Barnaby Joyce argued, without supporting detail, that it would damage trade relations with Japan, focusing on Albanese: “He's trying to be clever. It wasn't clever for the fourth biggest economy in the world, an absolutely vital strategic partner in our defence.”
The podcast context and aftermath
The tone of the offending podcast played a part in the controversy. Host comedian Nikki Osborne pressed Albanese with insinuations that the melons were smuggled in under Takaichi's clothing. Albanese replied with a grin, “I don't know, 'I got a couple of melons,'” while gesturing to his chest. Osborne then said, “She brought two? She just came in looking like Pamela Anderson.” The prime minister replied: “She brought two, and they're beautiful.”
It was the second time Osborne had pointed the prime minister into troubling territory; on the first occasion he implied he would “shag” Kylie Minogue. Albanese refused to apologise for the comments in question time on Tuesday, saying Australia and Japan have “never been closer”.
Joyce perhaps was right when he said Albanese was “trying to be clever”. It is one thing for a prime minister wanting to reach younger voters through non-mainstream media, such as podcasts. However, there is a layer of dignity that comes with the office, and that should not be shed. Hopefully he will absorb the lesson of the melons and apply a discipline to future, similar occasions. Meanwhile, there is a country to run.
