Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing criticism for remarks he made about Japanese Minister Sanae Takaichi, with critics calling the comments "crude" and undermining diplomatic relations. The controversy stems from an episode of the "Bush Deep" podcast where Albanese recounted Takaichi presenting him with "royal melons" during her visit to Australia in May.
During the podcast, in a conversation with host Nikki Osborne, Albanese alluded to Takaichi having "a couple of melons," accompanied by hand gestures. He stated the melons were "beautiful," but Osborne made a comment that led to an exchange about Takaichi "looking like Pamela Anderson." Albanese has since denied that his remarks were a crude reference to Takaichi's anatomy, asserting that "this assertion is wrong."
However, Japan's former ambassador to Canberra, Shingo Yamagami, expressed that the interview damaged Albanese's reputation in Japan. Yamagami noted that Takaichi is accustomed to derogatory remarks about her body and gender from political opponents and China, and did not expect such comments from the leader of a "trusted strategic partner."
"However lighthearted it was intended to be, the recent joke delivered by PM Anthony Albanese at the expense of Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi is how he might be remembered by Japanese who most value the friendship with Australia," Yamagami wrote. He added that the incident demonstrated "a paucity of strategic thinking" at a time when both nations need to collaborate against China. Yamagami also highlighted Albanese's apparent ignorance regarding the significance of the gift, explaining that a crown melon is a highly prized fruit in Japan, with a single melon costing over 30,000 yen (approximately $270 USD).
Japanese journalist Waka Ikeda also criticized the remarks, stating they diminished Takaichi's dignity. "On recent evidence, a woman may run the world's fourth-largest economy, stare down Beijing's threats and still be reduced, by an allied prime minister, to two melons on a podcast," Ikeda said. She described the joke as "beneath him and beneath Australia."
The podcast episode also included other controversial exchanges, such as Albanese participating in a "shag, marry or date" game involving celebrities and responding to a question about his and his wife's intimacy by referencing his recent marriage and the outcome of rugby matches. These additional remarks have also drawn attention, though the comments about Takaichi have generated the most significant diplomatic fallout.