Anthony Albanese's accused of making disrespectful remarks about Japan's prime minister

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 00:21, 7 July 2026 | Updated: 00:26, 7 July 2026 Anthony Albanese has been accused by the Coalition of making 'disrespectful' remarks about Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. Last Friday, while appearing on Nova's Bush Deep podcast, Albanese reflected on the official gift of 'royal melons' Takaichi presented during her visit to Australia. Takaichi gifted the Prime Minister two Shizuoka-grown melons to celebrate Australia reopening its market to Japanese melon imports.  Host Nikki Osborne jokingly asked whether Takaichi had 'smuggled' the melons through customs, making a hand gesture and referring to Pamela Anderson. 'Got a couple of melons,' Albanese said, making a similar gesture to the host. 'She brought two, as you do … and they're beautiful,' Albanese said. Opposition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson urged the Prime Minister to apologise to Takaichi and all women after his podcast appearance, saying women had been dragged into his 'crude locker room talk'. The latest criticism follows backlash over Albanese's participation in a game of 'shag, marry, date'. Anthony Albanese has been accused by the Coalition of making 'disrespectful' remarks about Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi during a podcast interview Opposition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson urged the Prime Minister to apologise to Takaichi and all women after his podcast appearance, saying women had been dragged into his 'crude locker room talk' Albanese was asked to choose between Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore, deciding which celebrity he would sleep with, marry or date. Responding to the question, the Prime Minister said: 'I've just got married. I'm only six months in.' 'But if it goes tits up?' Osborne hit back. 'You'd marry Kylie? And shag her? And date her?' questioned Osborne. 'All of the above,' replied Albanese. 'She's terrific.' Elsewhere in the podcast interview, Osborne asked if Albanese and his new wife, Jodie Haydon, were 'bonking like rabbits'. 'Well, when we have time,' he replied. Did Albanese take it too far this time? What's your view?'After the footy. It's always a good aphrodisiac, a Souths win,' he added, referencing the couple's beloved NRL team. Defence Minister Richard Marles and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek defended Albanese after the backlash, pointing to his long-standing record of supporting women. Community Strong MP Zali Steggall said it was 'entirely inappropriate' for the Prime Minister to respond to the question. 'He needs to learn to push back, lead by example and call it out as sexist,' Steggall said. One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce also weighed in, describing Albanese's remarks as 'a bit below him'. 'There are lots of people who feel they've been in a very unfortunate relationship with the Prime Minister of Australia, and he doesn't need to play a stupid game,' Joyce said on Sunrise on Monday. When asked what he would have done if he had been asked the question, Joyce replied: 'Avoided the question, like most people.' Albanese has since apologised for the comments.