Albanese faces backlash over ‘melon’ joke about Japan PM as opposition demands apology

CANBERRA: Australia’s opposition has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to personally apologize over comments he made about two premium melons gifted to him by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor described Albanese’s remarks as “insulting” and said they were beneath the office of prime minister.

“They were insulting and the prime minister should make a personal apology,” Taylor said, according to ABC News.

Liberal deputy Jane Hume separately described the comments as “grubby” and “inappropriate.”

The controversy stems from a podcast interview last month in which Albanese discussed two Crown Melons presented to him by Takaichi during her visit to Australia in May.

Albanese described the gift as “pretty strange but ended up being quite good.” When asked how Takaichi brought the fruit into Australia, he said he did not know and referred to her bringing “a couple of melons” while making a gesture with both hands in front of his chest.

Podcast host Nikki Osborne then joked that Takaichi “came in looking like Pamela Anderson,” a remark that Albanese did not challenge.

The Japan Times reported that Crown Melons, which are grown in Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture, are among the country’s most prized fruits. The melons were presented following Australia’s decision in January to reopen its market to Japanese melons.

Former Australian Ambassador to Japan Shingo Yamagami criticized Albanese’s comments in The Australian, saying they showed “ignorance” about the significance of the gift and risked undermining the close relationship between Australia and Japan.

Albanese’s office rejected Yamagami’s characterization in a statement to The Australian.