SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sparked controversy over an exchange with a podcast host last month about melons gifted to him by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during her visit to Australia in May, amid suggestions the comments were disrespectful and carried sexual innuendo.
In the video podcast published July 3, Albanese remarked that Takaichi had brought "a couple of melons" while gesturing with his hands. In Japan, premium melons are often sent as luxury gifts.
In return the podcast host quipped that she "came in looking like Pamela Anderson," referencing the actress of Baywatch fame known for her large breasts, to which Albanese replied, "she brought two, and they were beautiful."
The Australian Newspaper reported that the remarks were "widely interpreted as a reference to Ms Takaichi's anatomy," and opposition lawmakers have called on Albanese to formally apologize to Takaichi.
When questioned by an opposition lawmaker in parliament Tuesday about whether he would apologize for the "foul-mouthed, classless comments about women," Albanese said, "I reject the assertion in the question."
Japanese Ambassador to Australia Kazuhiro Suzuki said the Japanese government was "aware of the reporting in the media" about the podcast, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Wednesday.
"We have been informed by the Australian side that Prime Minister Albanese did not make the comments in the way that has been reported," he said in a statement, according to the ABC.
The ABC report also quoted Suzuki as saying the dinner hosted by Albanese during Takaichi's visit "was held in a very relaxed atmosphere" and that Japan believes "it helped build a personal trust relationship between the two leaders."
