11.07.2026 18:00
Japanese Defense Minister Shunjiro Koizumi, who came to Ankara for the NATO Summit and visited Istanbul after the summit, stated that he ate fish bread (mackerel) for the first time and shared his dialogue with Turkish tradesmen.
Japan's Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro, who became a topic of discussion at the NATO Leaders Summit in Ankara after mistaking a covered glass of water for a candle, visited Istanbul after the summit.
ATE FISH SANDWICH FOR THE FIRST TIME
During his visit to Istanbul, the Japanese minister ate a fish sandwich for the first time and shared his interaction with Turkish shopkeepers on his social media account.
In his post, Shinjiro stated that he attended a celebratory dinner with his Defense Ministry team, and he chatted with a Japanese couple he coincidentally met at the shop where they ate fish sandwiches.
"ATE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME"
Shinjiro also added a photo of the fish sandwich he ate to his post and said the following:
"This is the famous mackerel sandwich we had at the celebratory dinner in Istanbul with the Defense Ministry team. The third-generation shop owner proudly gave us a tour of the kitchen, saying, 'We have been doing this since my grandfather's time. Thank you for coming and seeing us!' The mackerel sandwich, which I ate for the first time, was very delicious. It was also a nice memory to be able to chat with the Japanese tourist couple we coincidentally met at the shop."