Anthony Albanese was forced to wear a bright blue badge at the world leaders summit in Tokyo in case no one recognized him.
The newly elected prime minister met with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Indian Prime Minister on Tuesday.
He was notably the only leader to sport the colorful accessory.
ABC’s Stephen Dziedzic reported that the insignia is a Japanese government seal “denoting his seniority as Prime Minister, in case anyone on the scene doesn’t recognize him.”
He added that this is “obviously not a problem for Modi, Biden or Kishida.”
New Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) wears a bright blue badge to identify him as he shakes hands with Japanese leader Fumio Kishida (right).
Netizen Chris Murdoch responded to Dziedzic’s tweet with more explanation. “He is a chrysanthemum,” she said.
‘The imperial seat of Japan is known as the Chrysanthemum Throne. It is in line with Japanese courtesy.
“They’re making sure no one feels embarrassed for not recognizing Anthony’s status.”
While other leaders may have blushed at the badge, Albanese didn’t seem bothered; After all, it was only his second day in office.
He was sworn in on Monday morning following his election victory on Saturday before boarding a plane to Tokyo.
Albanese used his second day in office to signal Australia’s ambitions to reduce emissions and reinforce its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
He met Biden, Kishida and Modi on Tuesday for the second in-person meeting of Quad leaders, where discussions included how to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
“The meeting discussed the Solomon Islands, including the issue of China seeking to exert more influence in the Pacific,” he told reporters in Tokyo after the meeting.
‘We know that is the case. “Australia is responding to that, along with the United States.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) shakes hands with US President Joe Biden (R) at the Quad leaders’ summit on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Tokyo.
He also sought to differentiate himself from his predecessor Scott Morrison on climate action, citing his government’s goal of reducing emissions by 43 percent by 2030.
“We know that China is trying to exert more influence in the Pacific and we know that climate change is a very important issue,” he said.
‘I share the view that this is a matter of national security. Climate change is not just about the environment, it is about the shape of our economies, but also about our national security.’
Speaking before the meeting, Biden said the Quad partnership was about democracy versus autocracy.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured wearing his prominent bright blue badge at the Quad leaders summit on May 24, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. The insignia is a chrysanthemum and is designed to distinguish him as an important person, in case he is not recognized.
‘We are going through a dark hour in our shared history. “The brutal Russian war against Ukraine has unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe,” he stated.
“The fundamental principles of the international order, territorial integrity and sovereignty, international law and human rights, must always be upheld, regardless of where they are violated in the world.”
Kishida also expressed dismay over the war in Eastern Europe, saying the invasion of Ukraine was “a serious incident that has fundamentally shaken the rule of law.”
“We cannot allow the same thing to happen in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
Australia will host the third in-person summit of Quad leaders next year.