Japanese ambassador moves to quash melon drama, defend Albanese

The Japanese ambassador has issued a statement saying Japan took no offence over comments made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's gift of crown melons. The comments, made during Albanese's appearance on a podcast, have sparked controversy in Australia, with One Nation and the Coalition demanding an apology.

The issue began in May when Takaichi visited Australia and gifted Albanese the melons, which were later referred to as being "smuggled" by Albanese. According to ABC News AU, the Japanese government had remained quiet on the matter for a month, hoping the issue would die down, but it has continued to generate controversy in Australia.

Takaichi has not publicly commented on the matter, and her office has not held a press conference to address the issue. The Japanese public is currently observing a holiday, Obon, an annual Buddhist custom where people visit family and take time off.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, ABC News AU — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.