Australian Prime Minister in Trouble Over Melon Comment

In brief

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in trouble for a comment about two melons given by Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The opposition wants Albanese to say sorry.

What next?

It's not clear if Albanese will say sorry in public.

Albanese made a comment about melons given by Japan's Prime Minister, which his office says was not a joke.

Albanese talked about the melons on a podcast and made a gesture.

A former Australian ambassador to Japan said the comment was insulting and ignorant.

Albanese is in trouble again for something he said on a podcast.

The former ambassador said Albanese's comment was about Japan's Prime Minister's body.

Albanese's team says this is not true.

The comment has not been given to the media.

The opposition leader wants Albanese to say sorry.

The opposition leader said Albanese's comment was insulting and he should say sorry.

Angus Taylor wants Albanese to say sorry.

Albanese made another comment on the same podcast that got him in trouble.

Some female politicians criticized Albanese for his comment.

Another politician said Albanese's comment was inappropriate.

Labor ministers defend Albanese

Senior ministers are defending Albanese again.

A minister said the relationship with Japan is good and the former ambassador is wrong.

Albanese said something about melons on a podcast.

A minister said the relationship with Japan is close and important.

The health minister said Australia and Japan have strong ties.

The transport minister said the opposition is making a big deal out of nothing.

The comments were unfortunate but not a big deal for Japan.

Japan's government has not commented on Albanese's comment.

Japan and Australia are close partners.

When the podcast came out, Japan's government said they were not focused on the comment.

The Japanese press has not talked much about the comment.

A former ambassador said the comment shows cultural ignorance.

A business person said the comment was noticed by Japanese leaders.

The former ambassador said the comment ignores the cultural significance of melons in Japan.

Albanese and Japan's Prime Minister agreed to work together.

The former ambassador wants Albanese to focus on the relationship with Japan.

He said Albanese should enjoy Japan's melons without thinking about a woman's body.

The former ambassador had a difficult relationship with Labor.

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