澳洲总理艾班尼斯在播客节目中就日本首相高市早苗赠送的蜜瓜礼物发表不当言论，引发日本官方不满。高市早苗于2024年5月访澳时向艾班尼斯赠送两个皇冠蜜瓜，每个价值约270澳元[1][2]。艾班尼斯在播客主持人尼基·奥斯本主持的节目中，通过手势描述蜜瓜大小，主持人随后将其比作帕梅拉·安德森，引发关于暗示女性身体特征的争议[1][2]。
日本驻澳前大使山上信吾随后在《澳洲人报》撰文严厉批评，称"总理，请享受日本甜蜜多汁的蜜瓜，不要想到女性的身体"[1]。山上信吾指出，高市早苗近期已遭到中国领事和日本反对党的贬低言论，"最后一件她期待的是来自日本信任的战略伙伴领导人的嘲弄"[1]。这一事件可能损害日澳战略伙伴关系[1]。澳洲反对党领导人安格斯·泰勒要求艾班尼斯为"有失总理身份"的言论道歉[2]，但艾班尼斯拒绝了这一要求[1]。值得注意的是，艾班尼斯自上台以来未曾对日本进行双边访问[1]。
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced criticism following remarks he made about a gift of premium melons from Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during a podcast appearance.[1][2] When Japanese PM Ishiba visited Australia in May 2024, she presented Albanese with two crown melons, each valued at approximately 270 Australian dollars.[1][2] During an appearance on the Bush Deep podcast hosted by Nikki Osborne, Albanese made gestures describing the size of the melons in a manner that drew suggestions of inappropriate innuendo, with Osborne comparing his remarks to references to actress Pamela Anderson.[1][2]
The comments prompted a sharp response from Shingo Yamagami, former Japanese Ambassador to Australia, who published a critical article in The Australian newspaper.[1] Yamagami stated: "Prime Minister, please enjoy Japan's sweet and juicy melons, and do not think of women's bodies," and warned that the remarks could damage the strategic partnership between the two nations.[1] He noted that Ishiba had recently faced demeaning comments from Chinese officials and Japanese opposition parties, and expressed concern that she "least expected to be mocked by the leader of Japan's trusted strategic partner."[1]
Opposition leader Angus Taylor called for Albanese to apologize for comments he characterized as "unbecoming of a prime minister," though the Prime Minister declined to do so.[2] Albanese has not undertaken a bilateral visit to Japan since taking office.[1]
