- Japan's defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi is visiting Australia to focus on expanding the bilateral security and defence partnership.
- The visit comes amid controversy surrounding Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's comments about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
- Albanese faced calls to apologise after making a podcast joke about receiving two crown melons from Takaichi while gesturing towards his chest.
- While Albanese denied making inappropriate comments, former Japanese ambassador Shingo Yamagami condemned the remarks as sexist.
- Following his talks in Canberra, Koizumi will travel to New Delhi to meet with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
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