Australian PM Refuses Apology Over Japanese Melon Gift Joke

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to apologize for remarks made during a podcast interview about a gift of melons from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The comments, made on the "Bush Deep" podcast with Nikki Osborne on July 3, resurfaced after a diplomatic note from Tokyo to Canberra was leaked. The note, dated July 13, addressed sensationalised reporting in the Australian media about the interview and stated that no action would be taken over the incident, also stressing the melons were bought locally.

Opposition figures James Paterson and Ted O’Brien have written to Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett requesting an investigation into the leak of the confidential correspondence. The controversy intensified after former Japanese ambassador to Australia Shingo Yamagami wrote a critical opinion piece in The Australian labeling Albanese’s gesture insulting and ignorant. Albanese stated he rejects the suggestion his comments were disrespectful and that he was not referring to breasts. The Prime Minister was asked in parliament on Tuesday whether he would apologize to Takaichi.