Australia PM under fire for remarks on Japanese counterpart's melon gifts
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing criticism for comments he made about melons gifted to him by Japanese official Sanae Takaichi. Critics, including a former Japanese ambassador, labeled the remarks as sexist and disrespectful toward Japanese cultural traditions.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights the importance of diplomatic etiquette and the potential for casual remarks to damage international relations.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi (left) presented Albanese with two royal melons when she visited Australia in May
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under fire for comments he made about two melons gifted to him by his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi, after a former Japanese envoy called it an insult.
During an appearance on the Bush Deep podcast, Albanese gestured near his chest while referring to the crown melons, calling them "pretty strange" gifts that "ended up being quite good".
That episode, which aired in July, had already landed the PM in hot water because of "inappropriate" comments he made about popstar Kylie Minogue.
Opposition leaders are now demanding he apologise to Takaichi - but Albanese's position is that it was the host who made the joke, not him, the BBC understands.
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