Australian PM accused of ‘crude joke’ about Japan’s female leader’s ‘melons’ as diplomatic row erupts

THE Australian PM has been accused of making a crude joke about the Japanese leader’s “melons” – sparking a furious diplomatic row. Anthony Albanese was appearing on the Bush Deep podcast when he was asked about the worst gift he had received while overseas. Anthony Albanese has landed himself in hot water after inappropriate comments on a podcast Credit: @nikkiosborneofficial/ Youtube The Australian PM made a joke about Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi’s ‘melons’ Credit: Reuters After briefly pausing, he said he had recently received a gift that was “pretty strange but ended up being quite good”. The gift was two royal melons given to him by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during an official visit in May. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! During the podcast, host Nikki Osbourne asked Mr Albanese how Ms Takaichi had managed to “smuggle” the melons through Australian customs. The Australian comedian then made a suggestive gesture with both hands in front of her chest. Opposition politicians have been quick to condemn Albanese Credit: Reuters Members of the Australian government have been quick to play down suggestions of tension Credit: AP Mr Albanese quickly mimicked the gesture before joking that Ms Takaichi had brought “a couple of melons… as you do”. Later in the podcast, Osbourne made the startling observation that the Japanese leader had “come in looking like Pamela Anderson“. Mr Albanese did not object to the comment. The clip has since sparked outrage in Japan, with former Australian ambassador to Japan Shingo Yamagami penning a scathing opinion piece. Most read in The Sun Yamagami, who served as Japan’s ambassador to Australia from 2020 to 2023, said Mr Albanese’s comments were “not only ungracious” but betrayed “the close bonds of our two nations”. He described the comments and gestures as “appalling” and criticised the Prime Minister for failing to show proper respect for the gift. “A crown melon is the most prized fruit in Japan and treasured as something special,” he said. Mr Albanese has also faced criticism from opposition politicians, who branded his comments “grubby” and “beneath the office of prime minister”. Opposition leader Angus Taylor said: “They were insulting and the prime minister should make a personal apology.” But senior cabinet ministers have rushed to his defence. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said: “Japan is a very important strategic and economic partner … and I think the former ambassador is wrong in his interpretation.” Health Minister Mark Butler also stressed Australia’s close economic and security ties with Japan. He said: “It’s very close. It involves constant communication between our two countries, two at the highest level. “I know Prime Minister Albanese feels the deepest respect for that relationship.” It is not the first time Mr Albanese has found himself at the centre of controversy over comments made on a podcast. During the same episode, Osbourne asked him whom he would “shag, marry and date” between Australian icons Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore. After initially hesitating, the Prime Minister gave the crude response: Minogue “for all of the above”. He later issued a one-line apology, saying he was “unequivocally” sorry for the incident. Comment now