# Australia PM under fire over remarks about Japanese counterpart’s melon gifts

https://mins.news/en/item/18940

- BBC News, 2026-08-11 07:55 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jl6ewvq42o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

> Australia’s prime minister is facing criticism over remarks concerning melon gifts from the Japanese counterpart. A former Japanese envoy described the comments as “sexist” and said they had “betrayed the close bond” between Australia and Japan. The dispute has drawn attention to the relationship between the two countries and the tone used in exchanges between their leaders.

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- [Australia’s prime minister refuses to apologise to Japanese counterpart over melon gaffe](https://mins.news/en/item/18796) — The Guardian, 2026-08-11