Japan brushes off Australian PM Albanese's melon drama

Tokyo has played down remarks made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese concerning melons gifted to him by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which sparked a diplomatic spat. The Japanese government acknowledged media reports but stated it had been informed by the Australian side that Albanese's comments were not made as reported.

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We are aware of the reporting in the media. We have been informed by the Australian side that Prime Minister Albanese did not make the comments in the way that has been reported.

"In any case, the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Albanese during the Prime Minister's visit to Australia this May was held in a very relaxed atmosphere, and we believe it helped build a personal trust relationship between the two leaders," a Japanese government statement added, emphasizing the positive rapport between the leaders.

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In any case, the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Albanese during the Prime Minister's visit to Australia this May was held in a very relaxed atmosphere, and we believe it helped build a personal trust relationship between the two leaders.

The controversy erupted after Albanese, during an interview on the comedy podcast "Bush Deep," described the expensive Japanese melons as a "strange" diplomatic gift. This led to criticism from Australia's opposition and outrage on social media in both countries. Some Japanese social media users expressed offense at the perceived insult to Prime Minister Takaichi and Japanese fruit, noting the melons can cost upwards of 30,000 yen (US$190).

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She came in looking like Pamela Anderson.

Albanese had previously apologized for other comments made during the same interview. When questioned in parliament about his "disrespectful behavior," Albanese rejected the assertion. He later qualified his remarks about the melons, stating they "ended up being quite goo."

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I reject the assertion in the question.