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August 12, 2026
Japanese officials have expressed surprise after confidential correspondence between their Prime Minister's office and Anthony Albanese over his controversial podcast comments was leaked in Australia.
In Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Albanese rejected assertions he had insulted Sanae Takaichi, below, for references to the female leader's "melons", as he resisted growing calls to apologise for the remarks.
During his now infamous appearance on the Deep Bush podcast in July, the Prime Minister said he would "shag" popstar Kylie Minogue and joined in on jokes about the Japanese leader "smuggling" two prized crown melons into the country.
Reports have emerged of a diplomatic cable dated July 13, sent by the Japanese Government, which "noted" the "sensationalised reporting in the Australian media" about Mr Albanese's comments in an interview with podcaster Nikki Osborne.
The diplomatic note, reportedly sent to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in Canberra, said that Tokyo's belief was that there was no "ill intention" in Mr Albanese's appearance on the podcast.
The Australian reported there was also an undertaking to take "no action" over the incident and that no public response from Japan would assist the Albanese Government because it would "allow the Australian media to move on".
A separate report by Seven News quoted a letter from the Japanese Prime Minister sent to her Australian counterpart expressing "heartfelt gratitude for Australia's propound friendship" following a recent earthquake.
"We should continue to work closely together as leaders to further strengthen and deepen this bond," Ms Takaichi reportedly said in her formal correspondence sent last week.
A senior Japanese official, speaking on the condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter, told The West Australian that they were "surprised" that the letter had emerged publicly in Australia.
The Opposition on Tuesday seized on the revelations in The West, referring the leak to the Australian Federal Police in a letter obtained by this masthead.
The note, signed by shadow defence minister James Paterson, said it was "critically important" the nation's bilateral partners believed confidential correspondence would be handled appropriately.
"We write to refer the possibly unlawful disclosure of confidential and sensitive correspondence from the Government of Japan to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet," it said.
"It would be gravely damaging to our national interest if they formed the view the Australian Government does not take unauthorised disclosure seriously by promptly investigating it."
The Opposition also questioned both the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong about the growing scandal when Parliament returned on Tuesday, including the leaking of diplomatic messages.
"Do you know how the media obtained this sensitive diplomatic correspondence," Senator Paterson asked Senator Wong during Question Time.
"In relation to what you have raised, I have seen those reports publicly. I don't know what correspondence is being referred to," Senator Wong replied.
Senator Paterson then pressed Senator Wong on whether the Government would investigate "how confidential correspondence from one of our closest and most important partners to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet was leaked to the media?" After Senator Wong insisted the Government enjoyed a "very close and trusting relationship with the Government of Japan", Senator Paterson again went on the attack.
"Minister, isn't it true that in a desperate attempt to clean up the Prime Minister's self inflicted melon mess, the Government is now risking a critical bilateral relationship by leaking confidential correspondence?" he asked.
"Wouldn't it be easier for the Prime Minister to just admit he got it wrong and say sorry?" At the same time in the House of Representatives, Liberal MP Mary Aldred asked the Prime Minister if he would "personally apologise" to the Japanese leader for his "disrespectful behaviour" on the Bush Deep podcast. "I reject the assertion in the question," Mr Albanese said in response.
He added that he and Ms Takaichi were "friends" which had been displayed in her recent visit to Canberra, when she had gifted him the melons.
"Australia and Japan have never been closer or more strategic, and my government has taken our special strategic partnership to new heights," he said.
The controversy is now also being reported in Japan, with the Asahi Shimbun newspaper carrying an article titled: "the Australian Prime Minister allegedly made sexually suggestive remarks regarding melons gifted by Takaichi".
Earlier on Tuesday, several of Mr Albanese's colleagues were again forced to defend their leader's appearance on the podcast, including Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and Environment Minister Murray Watt. On at least six occasions the pair were questioned about Mr Albanese's Japanese crown melons joke with both brushing off the assertion that the PM's remarks and actions, which included a cupped hand gesture in front of his chest, were sexual in nature.
"I know the Prime Minister very well, and the Prime Minister's been very clear that the type of inference that you're applying there is not what he was (intending)," Ms Collins said Before the Albanese Government was elected, senior Labor figures were scathing of former prime minister Scott Morrison after private text messages sent to him by French President Emmanuel Macron were leaked in 2021.
The texts, published after President Macron called Mr Morrison a liar, showed the leader knew Australia had intended to cancel its submarines deal in favour of AUKUS.
Following his first meeting with President Macron after becoming Prime Minister in 2022, Mr Albanese declared he would not leak details of private conversations, unlike his predecessor Mr Morrison.
Wouldn't it be easier for the Prime Minister to just admit he got it wrong and say sorry? Liberal senator James Paterson