Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced criticism from Japanese figures after making jokes about Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a podcast appearance.
In an episode of the Bush Deep podcast with host Nikki Osborne, Albanese recalled being given a royal melon by Takaichi during her first visit to Australia in May. When Osborne questioned whether the melons were smuggled into Australia, Albanese joked that the Japanese leader has got a couple of melons and made hand gestures.
Osborne joked that Takaichi was looking like Pamela Anderson, and Albanese replied: "She brought two, as you do... and they're beautiful." On Monday, about a month after the comments were aired, Albanese pushed back against suggestions his remarks were a crude joke about her anatomy, stating: "This assertion is wrong."
Criticism from former Japanese ambassador
Shingo Yamagami, Japan's former ambassador to Australia, said the interview had undermined the Prime Minister's reputation in Japan. Yamagami said Takaichi faces derogatory remarks about her body and gender from China and political opponents, adding "the last thing she expected was to be so casually mocked by the trusted leader of Japan's special strategic partner."
Yamagami wrote: "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." He added: "It is a time for toiling and not for crude jokes at another's expense."
He said Australia and Japan's close relationship would not be weakened, but stated the comments showed "a paucity of strategic thinking" when the two countries need to work together to push back against China. "So, Prime Minister, please 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," Yamagami wrote.
Yamagami also said Albanese showed "appalling" ignorance of the gift's significance. "A crown melon is the most prized fruit in Japan and treasured as something special. Moreover, this particular fruit was painstakingly nurtured under intensive care in a special greenhouse. A single melon costs more than 30,000 yen ($270)," he said.
Japanese journalist and podcast comments
Japanese journalist Waka Ikeda also blasted the remarks, saying they had undermined 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," she said. "The joke was beneath him and beneath Australia, a long-time ally and friend of Japan. The silence that followed was beneath everyone."
During the podcast, Albanese also sparked outrage by playing a game of shag, marry or date involving Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore. Asked which celebrity he would sleep with, marry or date, Albanese initially said: "I've just got married. I'm only six months in."
When Osborne asked "but if it goes tits up?" Albanese replied: "Kylie, clearly." Asked if he would marry, shag and date Minogue, Albanese answered: "All of the above. She's terrific."
Elsewhere in the interview, Osborne asked if Albanese and his new wife Jodie Haydon were bonking like rabbits. "Well, when we have time," Albanese replied, adding: "After the footy. It's always a good aphrodisiac, a Souths win," referencing the couple's chosen NRL team.
