A former Japanese envoy to Australia has accused Anthony Albanese of making a “mockery” of melons gifted to him by Japan’s leader.
The Prime Minister is facing calls to apologise to his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi amid accusations he referred to her breasts when discussing her gift of crown melons during a controversial podcast interview last month.
His office has denied the claim.
Ex-ambassador Shingo Yamagami on Tuesday said it was “not a political issue at all” but “a matter of decorum, diplomatic propriety and mutual respect”.
“I think in Australia or in Japan or anywhere else for that matter, you don’t make a mockery of gifts from your friends, which are meticulously prepared and kindly presented,” he told News24.
Mr Yamagami refused to say if Mr Albanese should apologise but did ask him to support “Japanese melon farmers” and “keep on eating sweet and juicy melons for the rest of his time”.
‘Sensationalised’
Mr Yamagami’s comments came after an official Japanese government missive sent to its embassy dismissed the melon saga.
The Australian reported overnight that a diplomatic cable from July 13 “noted … sensationalised reporting” after Mr Albanese’s appearance on the Bush Deep podcast – the same interview in which he said he would “shag, marry and date” Kylie Minogue.
Of his comments on Ms Takaichi, the cable said Tokyo believed there was no “ill intention” and that “no action” would be taken.
It also said that Japan would not provide commentary to let media “move on”.
However, the freshly reported cable has not stopped the Coalition and the crossbench from calling on Mr Albanese to apologise, with senior Liberal senator Michaelia Cash claiming that “he’s embarrassed Australia” and independent MP Monique Ryan saying “it’s disturbing to hear that the Japanese government has expressed some concerns”.
Those calls for an apology were put to Mr Albanese during the first parliamentary Question Time since the lengthy winter break.
Accusing Mr Albanese of making “a series of foul-mouthed, classless comments about women” in the podcast, Liberal backbencher Mary Aldred asked: “Will the Prime Minister personally apologise to the Prime Minister of Japan … for his disrespectful behaviour?”
“I reject the assertion in the question,” Mr Albanese responded.
“Australia and Japan have never been closers or more strategically aligned, and my government has taken our special strategic partnership to new heights.”
He pointed to the recent economic and security agreements he signed with Ms Takaichi during her visit.
“Prime Minister Takaichi is a friend of Australia and a friend of mine,” he said.
Labor has rallied behind Mr Albanese.
Earlier, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman said there was “no need” for Mr Albanese to apologise and that coverage “didn’t accurately reflect the nature of the conversations” on the podcast.
“We have seen reporting overnight that says that there’s no concern from the Japanese government,” Mr Gorman said.
“Frankly, I don’t know why we’re still talking about this.”
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