ع
Opposition figures and former Japanese ambassador Shingo Yamagami have called on Anthony Albanese to apologise for comments made during a podcast appearance that resurfaced this week. The prime minister told parliament he rejected any assertion the remarks were inappropriate while stressing that Australia and Japan have never been closer. According to an opinion piece Yamagami wrote in The Australian the comments betrayed the close bond between the nations and showed a lack of strategic judgment. Labor ministers defended Albanese stating the interpretation placed on his words was unnecessary and that people should view the footage themselves.
The exchange took place in July on the Bush Deep podcast hosted by comedian Nikki Osborne. While discussing the gift from Takaichi’s visit to Australia in May the host quipped that the Japanese leader arrived looking like Pamela Anderson. Albanese responded that she brought two and they are beautiful while making a gesture near his chest. He had also described the melons as pretty strange gifts that ended up being quite good though the episode gained more attention for separate remarks about Kylie Minogue that prompted an unequivocal public apology from the prime minister.
Crown melons from Shizuoka Prefecture rank among Japan’s most prized fruits with top-grade examples selling for more than 30,000 yen or around $188. The Japan Times reported in March that these premium melons had begun reaching the Australian market amid rising interest in Japanese food culture and high demand for products such as wagyu beef. Cultivated with only one fruit per vine the melons feature high sugar content and a rich aroma making them treasured gifts in Japanese tradition. Yamagami emphasised in his article that the fruit should be enjoyed for its sweetness and juiciness without references to a woman’s anatomy.
Shingo Yamagami served as Japan’s ambassador to Canberra from 2021 to 2023 during which time he experienced a notably frosty relationship with some members of Albanese’s Labor Party over differences on China policy. In his piece published by The Australian on August 10 he wrote that the last thing Takaichi expected was to be so casually mocked by the trusted leader of Japan’s special strategic partner. He urged the Australian prime minister to focus instead on joint priorities for the two countries. Opposition leader Angus Taylor labelled the gaffe insulting and demanded that Albanese issue a personal apology to his Japanese counterpart.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the remarks were not intended to be interpreted in the manner that political opponents and some media outlets had presented. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek told Channel Seven it represented a completely unnecessary interpretation of what the prime minister said. Plibersek had earlier defended Albanese’s controversial Kylie Minogue comments from the same podcast as nothing more than a sign that he was a fan. The earlier incident involved the host asking Albanese to choose among Minogue actress Nicole Kidman and entertainer Rhonda Burchmore in a shag marry or date scenario to which he replied Kylie clearly all of the above.
Australia and Japan have elevated their special strategic partnership under Albanese’s government with recent steps to advance military cooperation and energy ties. The presentation of the melons during Takaichi’s May visit formed part of diplomatic efforts to foster stronger personal connections between the leaders. Analysts cited in The Japan Times assessment noted that the melon exports could build on existing Australian enthusiasm for premium Japanese products. Yamagami warned in his contribution to The Australian that while politicians come and go some are remembered for their gaffes rather than accomplishments.
