Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, criticized by the opposition for a joke considered lewd towards the Japanese Prime Minister

Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, has been criticized for a lewd exchange in a comedy podcast, in which he joked about a gift, a royal Japanese melon, received from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Although he has previously apologized for inappropriate comments, Albanese refused to apologize for this joke, which was deemed offensive by the opposition leader. During the interview, he mentioned that he received two melons and made a comparison to Pamela Anderson, provoking discontent among political opponents. When asked in Parliament if he would apologize, Albanese dismissed the accusations, emphasizing that Takaichi is a friend of Australia. Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, stated that the Prime Minister did not intend to offend.