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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Tom McIlroy Political editor

Japan’s defence minister heads to Australia to meet Marles in wake of melon-gate controversy

Australia Japan Shinjiro Koizumi Junichiro Koizumi Sanae Takaichi Richard Marles
Australian and Japanese defense ministers shake hands before a
Australian defence minister, Richard Marles (L), with Japanese defence minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, at a defence ministers meeting in Tokyo earlier this year. Photograph: Masatoshi Okauchi/Shutterstock

Japan’s defence minister will visit Canberra this week, the highest level engagement with Australia after controversy over Anthony Albanese’s comments about a gift of melons from prime minister Sanae Takaichi.

The defence minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, will meet his counterpart and deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, on Tuesday, with discussions focused on Australia’s acquisition of Japan’s Mogami-class frigates and enhanced security cooperation.

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