{
  "id": 649633,
  "title": "Australian PM under fire for 'crude' joke about Takaichi melon gift",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/australian-pm-under-fire-for-crude-joke-about-takaichi-melon-gift",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T09:00:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260812/p2g/00m/0in/028000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recently come under fire for a crude joke about a melon gift received from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during her visit to Australia last May. The controversy arose from a podcast interview Albanese gave on July 3, where he recalled Takaichi presenting him with a couple of melons, gesturing with his hands. In response, a podcast host jokingly remarked that Takaichi had arrived \"looking like Pamela Anderson,\" a reference to the actress known for her large breasts.\n\nAlbanese's reply, \"She brought two, and they were beautiful,\" has been widely interpreted as a reference to Takaichi's anatomy. Opposition lawmakers have demanded an apology from Albanese to Takaichi, with the Australian Newspaper reporting the remarks as a clear sexual innuendo. In response to an opposition lawmaker's question during a parliamentary session, Albanese dismissed the assertion as false.\n\nJapanese Ambassador to Australia Kazuhiro Suzuki stated that the Japanese government was aware of the media reports regarding the podcast incident. He claimed that Albanese did not make the comments as reported. Suzuki noted that the dinner hosted by Albanese during Takaichi's visit took place in a relaxed atmosphere, fostering a personal trust relationship between the two leaders.",
  "summary": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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\".",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}