Japan Plays Down Australian PM's Comments on Melon Gift from PM Takaichi
The Japanese government has responded casually to comments by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about a gift of melons from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which caused a stir in Australia. Tokyo stressed that good relations exist between the leaders of the two countries.
“We are aware of the media reports. We have been informed by the Australian side that Prime Minister Albanese did not make the comments as reported,” the Japanese government said in a statement, as reported by AFP on Wednesday (12/8/2026).
“In any case, the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Albanese during Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to Australia last May took place in a very relaxed atmosphere, and we believe it helped build personal trust between the two leaders,” the statement added.
Albanese had previously drawn criticism and apologised for comments he made in an interview with the “Bush Deep” podcast last month, when he said he wanted to “make love” to renowned Australian singer Kylie Minogue.
However, separate remarks in the same interview, discussing the “weird” Japanese melon gift from PM Takaichi in May, sparked further controversy. Albanese discussed the Japanese melon gift when asked about what he considered the “worst” diplomatic gift.
When the podcast host asked whether PM Takaichi had “smuggled” the melons through Australian customs, Albanese raised both hands and said “carrying a pair of melons”.
“She arrived looking like Pamela Anderson,” the podcast host chimed in.
Albanese’s comments drew anger from his political opponents. Australia’s opposition leader urged Albanese to apologise for the joke, which was deemed “insulting”.
When asked at parliament on Tuesday (11/8) whether he would apologise for the “disrespectful behaviour”, Albanese said: “I reject the premise contained in that statement.”
Albanese’s comments sparked anger among Japanese social media users. Some viewed the remarks as “disrespectful” towards PM Takaichi, who made history as Japan’s first female prime minister.
“This man’s comments are truly absurd. Moreover, it shows his assumption that it is acceptable to treat Takaichi — or even Japan — in such a crude manner,” wrote one Japanese social media user.
Others took offence at what was seen as an insult to Japanese fruit, given that the melon variety in question costs more than 30,000 yen, or around Rp 3.3 million.
“Never think that Australian fruit is the same as ours. Such ignorance is truly saddening,” wrote another Japanese social media user.