Australian PM under fire for 'crude' joke about Takaichi melon gift
SYDNEY (Kyodo) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sparked controversy over an exchange with a podcast host last month about melons gift
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced criticism for comments he made about a gift of melons from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. During an interview with a comedy podcast, Albanese was asked about the "most crap" diplomatic gift he had received. He mentioned the melons, saying he had "got a couple of melons" and joking that Takaichi had "smuggled" them through Australian customs.
The comments sparked controversy in Australia, with Albanese already facing backlash for previous remarks made during the same interview. According to The Mainichi, Albanese's comments about the melons have been widely reported.
The Japanese government has since responded to the controversy, downplaying Albanese's comments and stressing the good relationship between the two leaders. A Japanese government statement said that Albanese did not make the comments in the way they were reported, and that a dinner hosted by Albanese during Takaichi's visit to Australia in May was held in a "very relaxed atmosphere".
Brief written by urgent.news from The Mainichi, New Straits Times — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
