Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to apologise for a sexually suggestive joke about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, despite mounting pressure from the opposition and a diplomatic complaint from Tokyo.
During an early July podcast appearance, Albanese described receiving luxury melons from Takaichi during her May visit, gesturing toward his chest and saying she had "brought two, as you do." Opposition Leader Angus Taylor demanded an apology for what he called an insulting remark. Japan's government sent a diplomatic cable to Canberra in July over sensationalist media coverage of the exchange. In parliament, Albanese rejected the premise of criticism, calling Takaichi a personal friend, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong dismissed suggestions he intended any insult.
Albanese previously apologised for a separate remark on the same podcast in which he said he would like to sleep with singer Kylie Minogue.