澳大利亚总理艾班尼斯在播客节目中对日本外相高市早苗赠送的皇冠蜜瓜发表不当评论，引发外交争议[1]。艾班尼斯在Bush Deep播客节目中称这种蜜瓜"pretty strange"，并伴随胸部附近的手势[1]。该节目于7月播出[1]。
日本驻堪培拉前大使山上真吾随后在《澳洲人报》发表评论文章，批评艾班尼斯的言论具有性别歧视性，称其为"性别歧视笑话"，并表示此举"背叛了日本与澳大利亚之间的紧密纽带"[1]。皇冠蜜瓜在日本被视为"最珍贵的水果"，单个售价超过30,000日元（约188美元）[1]。高市早苗曾在5月访澳期间赠送该蜜瓜[1]。
澳大利亚反对党领导人泰勒要求艾班尼斯向高市早苗进行个人道歉[1]。艾班尼斯否认有意冒犯，反称是播客主持人开的玩笑，并强调"澳大利亚与日本从未如此接近"[1]。
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has drawn criticism for comments made about a luxury melon gifted by Japanese Foreign Minister Takayama Sanae during a podcast appearance.[1] On the Bush Deep podcast program, which aired in July, Albanese described the crown melon as "pretty strange" while making a gesture near his chest.[1]
Former Japanese Ambassador to Canberra Shingo Yamakami condemned the remarks as a sexist joke, stating they "betrayed the close bond" between Japan and Australia and caused offense to Japan.[1] Crown melons are considered the most prized fruit in Japan, with individual specimens selling for over 30,000 yen, approximately USD 188.[1] Takayama Sanae had presented the melon during her visit to Australia in May.[1]
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has demanded that Albanese offer a personal apology to the Japanese minister.[1] Albanese denied any intention to offend, attributing the remark to a joke made by the podcast host.[1] In response to the controversy, the Prime Minister stated that "Australia and Japan have never been closer."[1]