Anthony Albanese has been delivered a stinging rebuke from a former Japanese ambassador to Australia over some tasteless joking on a podcast about his prime ministerial counterpart’s gift of two highly valued melons.

In a blunt article, Shingo Yamagami, ambassador to Canberra from 2021 to 2023, wrote, “Prime Minister, please enjoy Japan’s sweet and juicy melons without thinking about a women’s anatomy”.

Yamagami’s article in The Australian has elevated the affair into an even more awkward issue for Albanese, with the opposition on Monday calling for an apology to the Japanese PM.

It all goes back to Albanese’s ill-judged decision to invite comedian Nikki Osborne to The Lodge for a podcast. With a stuffed likeness of his dog Toto by his side and a bottle of North of 7 Canadian whisky in view, Albanese, who regularly slides away from awkward questions at news conferences, descended into relaxed, incautious frankness.

There was quick public blowback to his opting for Kylie Minogue when presented with a multiple-choice question about who he’d choose to “shag”. A statement of apology was issued.

The melons have been more of a slow-burn.

When she visited Australia in May, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had presented Albanese with two large royal melons. These are frequent diplomatic gifts, each worth about........

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