Japan has formally expressed to Australia that it believes remarks made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi were sensationalized by the Australian media and that no ill intention was present. The move aims to de-escalate the controversy that has persisted for a month since the comments were made on a podcast.
Albanese made the remarks during an appearance on Nikki Osborne's Beep Bush podcast, where he recounted being gifted two Shizuoka-grown melons by Takaichi during her recent visit to Australia. When asked by the host if Japan's first female prime minister had "smuggled" the melons, Albanese, making a gesture, replied, "Got a couple of melons." He then added, "She brought two, as you do... and they're beautiful."
On Monday, Albanese pushed back against claims his comments were a crude joke about Takaichi's anatomy, stating, "This assertion is wrong." Despite these attempts to quell the situation, Albanese continues to face criticism.
Shingo Yamagami, Japan's former ambassador to Australia, suggested that the interview had damaged Albanese's reputation in Japan. Yamagami noted that Takaichi is accustomed to facing gendered remarks from political opponents and adversaries like China, and would not have expected to be "casually mocked" by the leader of a key strategic partner. He added that while the joke may have been intended lightly, it could be how Albanese is remembered by those in Japan who value the friendship with Australia.
Yamagami emphasized that while the close relationship between Australia and Japan would not be weakened by the comments, they demonstrated "a paucity of strategic thinking" at a time when cooperation is needed to counter China's influence. He concluded by urging the Prime Minister to "enjoy Japan's sweet and juicy melons without thinking about a woman's anatomy, and instead focus on what our two countries must do together."
Separately, during the podcast, Albanese also faced backlash for his responses to a game of "shag, marry or date" involving Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore. He also commented on his and his wife Jodie Haydon's intimate life, referencing their rugby league team's wins as an aphrodisiac.