Sanae Takaichi

Japan brushes off Australian PM’s melon drama

Tokyo played down the comments by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) about melons gifted to him by his Japanese counterpart, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, stressing the leaders’ good relationship.

Australian PM under fire for ‘melons’ gag about Japanese leader

Australian PM Anthony Albanese had already faced a backlash and apologised over comments made during an interview in July with the Bush Deep podcast.

Nagasaki warns of risk of nuclear war 81 years after A-bomb

Attendees at the Nagasaki Peace Statue at a ceremony remembering the 81st anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, on Aug 9.

News analysis

As Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s support slips, can a food tax cut shore up her popularity?

Fresh fruit and vegetables for sale at a stall in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, July 22. Japan is scheduled to release its consumer price index (CPI) on July 24.

Video of Japan PM’s quake-hit area visit set to music draws criticism

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) talking to an evacuee as she visits an evacuation centre on Aug 3, after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture.

Japan’s government approves PM Takaichi’s costly food tax cut despite fiscal concerns

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government aims to enact related legislation for the inflation-relief scheme.

Japan proposes tougher income, pension rules for permanent residency

The revised rule would require applicants to maintain annual household income above the average for Japanese households.

Japan ruling party leaves decision on sales tax cut proposal to policy chief

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to cut the consumption tax on food to ease the impact of inflation.

Japan launches National Intelligence Bureau amid counter-espionage push

The launch of the National Intelligence Bureau is part of the Japanese government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s intelligence capabilities and pursue counter-espionage legislation.

Will Japan finally shed its reputation as a spy paradise?

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gave her assurance on July 27 that intelligence reforms would be balanced with appropriate protections for freedom and human rights.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.