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December 25, 2024 | 04:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Eating fried chicken from fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is a very popular Christmas tradition in Japan. Every Christmas, there are very long lines of customers at KFC branches in the country. Many people end up ordering their food months in advance to avoid the long lines.
In Japan, only about 1 percent of the population identifies as Christian. However, many people celebrate Christmas as a secular festive season.
According to a clip shared on the BBC's Instagram page, every year 3.5 million Japanese people choose KFC as their Christmas meal. The fried chicken is a substitute for the roast turkey that is part of many cultures for the holiday dinner.
The Origin of the Tradition of Eating Fried Chicken in Japan
Reported by News.com.au, this tradition began in 1974 when the fast food giant launched a marketing campaign called "Kentucky for Christmas" or in Japanese "Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii".
A foreign customer visited a KFC in Tokyo on Christmas Day and complained that he couldn't get turkey in Japan. He had no choice but to celebrate with KFC.
A member of the sales team overheard the remark. That was the inspiration for the campaign, which initially featured a bucket of fried chicken and a bottle of wine. The idea was to promote a home Christmas party that could be enjoyed by adults, since such celebrations at the time were meant to entertain children.
The campaign was so successful that KFC on Christmas Day became part of Japanese culture. Christmas Eve (December 24) is the busiest day of the year for KFC Japan, and pre-orders start as early as late October.
The Christmas tradition evolved, from simple fried chicken to today’s Kentucky Christmas dinner set with chicken, shrimp gratin, cookies, and more. The holiday cheer also extended beyond food. KFC’s Colonel Sanders, who has a white hair and beard similar to Santa Claus, began wearing a red and white suit around Christmas time.
Christmas as a Second Valentine
It’s not just KFC fried chicken that makes Christmas in Japan unique. The religious holiday has evolved into a romantic celebration similar to Valentine’s Day. Many couples enjoy special dates on Christmas Eve, enjoying twinkling lights, dining at fancy restaurants, and staying at luxury hotels.
"Christmas in Japan is like no other in the world," Japan Rail Pass owner Haroun Khan told News.com.au. "Couples celebrate romance, friends gather for special dinners, and you can enjoy treats like the unique Japanese strawberry Christmas cake. And, of course, the famous Christmas fried chicken tradition from KFC."
NEWS.COM.AU | PEOPLE
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