Labor Minister Says PM Did Not Make Inappropriate Comment About Japan Leader

A Labor minister has defended Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following scrutiny of an interview where he joked about a gift of melons from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Albanese appeared on the Bush Deep podcast and referred to the Yubari melons, stating the gift seemed strange but ended up being good. The podcast host’s comments about the melons being “smuggled” added to the situation.

• A Labor minister has defended Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
• The controversy stems from an interview on the Bush Deep podcast.
• Albanese joked about a gift of Yubari melons from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
• The host made comments suggesting the melons were “smuggled.”