Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing scrutiny over comments and hand gestures he made regarding a gift received from Japan's prime minister. Mr Albanese maintains he has nothing to apologise for.
The gift at the centre of the controversy is a Shizuoka Crown melon, a luxury fruit in Japan. These melons are part of a significant cultural gifting practice in Japan, where they are hand-patted by growers to achieve an even shape and texture.
According to Melbourne fruitier Thanh Truong, known as Fruit Nerd, there is a culture of fruit gifting in Japan that differs from Australia, where fruit is typically considered a commodity. Shizuoka Crown melons are priced between $50 and $150 each and are grown with a focus on perfection, with only one melon per vine to maximise nutrients.
The import of fresh melons from Japan into Australia was permitted at the beginning of this year, though melons from Okinawa prefecture remain banned. However, local fruit sellers have not yet seen them sold in Australia.