Australia PM Anthony Albanese under fire for remarks over Sanae Takaichi's melon gift - BBC News

An ex-Japanese envoy said the "sexist" comments "betrayed the close bond" between the countries.

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Watch: Australian PM makes controversial “melon” comment on podcast

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under fire for comments he made about two melons gifted to him by his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi, after a former Japanese envoy called it an insult.

During an appearance on the Bush Deep podcast, Albanese gestured near his chest while referring to the crown melons, calling them "pretty strange" gifts that "ended up being quite good".

That episode, which aired in July, had already landed the PM in hot water because of "inappropriate" comments he made about popstar Kylie Minogue.