Japan tells Australia: no ill intent, no action over PM's melon joke

Japan's government sent a diplomatic cable to Australia in July 2026 detecting no "ill intention" in Anthony Albanese's melon podcast gag about PM Sanae Takaichi, blaming "sensationalised reporting in the Australian media." Japan has formally declined to take action. That hasn't stopped the Coalition demanding an apology, but Tokyo just pulled the rug out.