KFC Becomes Japan's Christmas Culinary Tradition
With its distinct blend of cultures, Japan celebrates Christmas in ways unlike any other nation. Central to this celebration is the peculiar tradition of dining on fried chicken from KFC, which has become so ingrained in Japanese society it’s hardly imaginable to see family gatherings without this popular dish.
The roots of this unusual holiday custom trace back to the 1970s when Takeshi Okawara, the manager of the very first KFC franchise opened in Japan, devised the concept of offering fried chicken as the main course for Christmas. Inspired by festive banquets he had seen portrayed in American films, Okawara recognized the absence of traditional roast turkey—a staple of Christmas dining elsewhere—and saw an opportunity. Unable to secure the large bird, he turned to what many believed to be the next best thing: crispy, flavorful fried chicken.
From its launch of the "Kentucky for Christmas" campaign back in 1974, KFC began positioning itself as the quintessential meal for holiday celebrations. The marketing campaign became wildly successful, turning fried chicken from a casual fast-food option to something revered as festive fare. Millions of Japanese families began to follow suit, making early reservations for their Christmas Party Barrels—a specially prepared meal including chicken, salad, and often dessert to mark the occasion.
Naomi, a resident from Hokkaido, explained the build-up to Christmas Day, saying, "A medida que se acerca la Navidad, los comerciales de KFC comienzan a salir al aire en la televisión: se ven muy deliciosos. Ordenamos temprano y luego vamos a la tienda a la hora designada para recoger nuestra cubeta de pollo." This sentiment captures the anticipation felt by families as they prepare for the holiday; the excitement builds as they look forward to their specific collection time, ensuring they don’t miss out on this sought-after meal. For those unprepared, the consequences are dire—a need to face urgently long lines filled with those waiting to secure their Christmas dinner.
Interestingly, Christmas in Japan is more of a secular celebration than one rooted deeply in Christianity, which is practiced by only about 1% of the population. The act of eating KFC during this time presents no traditional connotations of religious significance, nor did it emerge from historical festivities. Instead, it reflects broader cultural adaptations as Japan’s history embraced Western customs during periods of economic growth.
Despite some criticisms pointing to KFC’s clever marketing tactics, it is undeniable how the campaign led by Okawara solidified the idea of fried chicken as traditional fare at Christmas, eventually becoming accepted cultural practice within Japan. Conferring to Shuho, another Japanese resident, he remarked, "Compartir comida es una práctica social muy importante. Por lo tanto, una cubeta de pollo frito de KFC tiene un sabor familiar y satisface este deseo de comer juntos." This encapsulation points toward the role food plays not merely as sustenance but as bonding moments for families and friends during Christmas celebrations, where sharing the KFC barrel becomes symbolic of togetherness and unity.
Today, with commercials flooded with images of tantalizing crispy chicken, KFC thrives during the festive month of December. Sales reportedly soar between five to ten times higher than any typical day due to the Christmas rush. KFC is exceptionally agile, using the season to its advantage, reaffirming its place as fast food with cultural significance at the heart of Japanese holiday gatherings.
So next time December rolls around, don’t be surprised to see Colonel Sanders dressed as Santa arising from KFC doorways across Japan, welcoming families ready to indulge and share under the glittering holiday lights. This thriving phenomenon showcases the transformative effect of marketing and cultural exchange, highlighting how fast food can become shelved alongside family traditions, creating somewhat of legacy out of fried chicken.
Japan's Christmas legend may have started as mere marketing, but today it solidifies the bonds of family and friendship alike, offering families both convenience and joy during their festive feasts.
