NEW DELHI - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi found himself quite at home in India on Friday, admitting a yen for real curry.
He earned a burst of applause and laughter for his confession, when he broke into English at the end of an address in Japanese to Indian business.
"My speech is finished. Now I am looking forward to getting down to the real business of eating authentic Indian curry," he announced before tucking in.
It may have been his first visit to India, but he was clearly relishing it.
Children waving Japanese flags had greeted him at his first stop in New Delhi, a school were Japanese is taught.
"Good morning," they chorused in fine Japanese.
He was garlanded in flowers in line with local tradition before a class serenaded him with a Japanese rendering of "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands".
Koizumi quickly joined in the clapping and singing, with Japanese reporters describing him as "giddy".
"Even in Japan I don't receive such a warm welcome," he joked before being swept away in a black limousine.
But he may have been serious. Koizumi's approval ratings have plunged since he came to office nearly four years ago.
"I would like to stress that in Asia we Japanese have a friend in India," he had told the businessmen.
04/29/2005 10:36 GMT