Did melon-gate damage relations with Japan? Today we found out

August 18, 2026 — 4:39pm

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Anthony Albanese’s infamous exchange with a podcast host about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s melon gift may have been crass, ill-advised and cringeworthy. Indeed, it certainly was. The big unanswered question was whether the prime minister’s bawdy banter with a so-called bush Barbie, and his steadfast refusal to apologise to Takaichi, had fundamentally damaged the relationship with one of Australia’s most important strategic partners.

A week after Albanese’s remarks dominated the national news cycle, a chance to test this proposition arrived with exquisite timing. One of Takaichi’s most senior ministers, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, arrived in Canberra on Tuesday for meetings with counterpart Richard Marles. And a joint press conference too.

While Koizumi’s visit may have seemed risky, it offered an opportunity to clear the air and demonstrate that, whatever bafflement Albanese’s........

© Brisbane Times