Read our Privacy noticeAustralia’s prime minister has refused to apologise over an apparent joke about a gift of expensive melons from his Japanese counterpart. Anthony Albanese was asked in the parliament on Tuesday whether he would say sorry to Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, who gifted him two crown melons when she visited Australia in May. Discussing the melons, Mr Albanese appeared to gesture in front of his chest, and the host, comedian Nikki Osborne, replied that Ms Takaichi had come in looking like Pamela Anderson. Mr Yamagami had a frosty relationship with sections of Mr Albanese’s Labor party during his posting, largely over differences on China. Mr Yamagami later claimed that the row was being debated in Japan and suggested Mr Albanese visit Tokyo this year.