Australia's PM Anthony Albanese under fire for 'melons' gag about Japanese leader

Asked whether he would say sorry for his "disrespectful behaviour" in parliament on Tuesday, the Australian leader said: "I reject the assertion in the question."

An ex-Japanese envoy said the "sexist" comments "betrayed the close bond" between the countries.

Anthony Albanese facing criticism after appearing to joke on a podcast about a gift of melons from Sanae Takaichi Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has rejected calls to apologise to Japan’s prime minister over a joke he made about melons on a satirical podcast, amid a media frenzy and accusations of sexual in

A joke gone wrong has ignited a diplomatic storm, and the Prime Minister’s own words are now being picked apart. Watch the clip here.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor said comments Anthony Albanese made about a gift from Japan's prime minister were "insulting".

Anthony Albanese apologised last month after suggesting he would 'sh*g' Kylie Minogue on the same podcast recording he discussed a gift from Japan's Prime Minister

The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in hot water for a second comment he made during the same podcast recording he suggested he would sleep with Kylie Minogue