The campaign started in the 70s to tempt tourists and expats with chicken on Christmas Day when they couldn't find turkey to eat, and was the the brainchild of Takeshi Okawara, the manager of the first KFC in the country, according to the BBC.
Almost every year since she was a child, Hokkaido resident Naomi has looked forward to her family's traditional Christmas meal: a KFC “party barrel” brimming with salad, cake and lots of fried chicken. “In Japan, it is customary to eat chicken at Christmas,” says the 30-something Japanese woman.
In Japan, Christmas is the time for friends and couples to have parties, make plans to meet up for dinner and celebrate as much as they can. And New Year is the time of the year when all members of the family come together, visit the temple, and usher-in January 1st, with food and drinks.
In Japan Santa is known as サンタさん、サンタクロース / Santa-san (Mr Santa) or サンタクロース / Santa-Kurosu (Santa Claus). (Another Japanese gift bringer is Hoteiosho, a Japanese god of good fortune from Buddhism. But he is NOT related to Christmas.)
It's always a very merry Kentucky Christmas in Japan. Every year, millions of families make a beeline for the nearest KFC in Japan and order bucketloads of fried chicken. Children reach in for the best piece of the lot, commemorating what they know to be the most natural tradition–a KFC dinner for Christmas.
This began to change in the post-war years, but by the early 1970s there was still no real Japanese substitute for the traditional Christmas dinner. Okawara recognized this gap in the market and told customers that KFC was a Christmas favorite with Americans.
The official story from KFC Japan says that Okawara went to a Christmas party dressed as Santa Claus, and when the kids loved it, he was inspired to create the KFC Christmas specials. Another legend still says that Okawara, overheard foreigners looking for Christmas dinner traditions in Japan.
Santa Claus is commonly called Shaka Santa. This references the popular “hang loose” hand sign that you can see Santa waving in Hawaii. Mrs. Claus is instead referred to as Tutu Mele.
In Japan, KFC is commonly known as "Kentucky" or "Kentucky Fried Chicken." The name "Kentucky" is often abbreviated to "Kento" in Japanese, which is used in casual conversation or writing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Australia
What is Santa Claus called in Australia? These days most Australians call Atnas (his real name) “Santa”.
Then when July finally rolls around, this is when Australians celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense since it's colder. Although we know it as Christmas in July, Australians call this second celebration Yuletide or Yulefest.
Santa is known as 'Sheng dan Lao ren' in Mandarin, which translates as 'Christmas Old Man', and he is seen as a non-religious figure who lives in a fairytale Arctic Christmas Village in China's North Pole.
China is its biggest market with more than 5,600 outlets while 12 million people eat at KFC restaurants every day around the world. As of 2021, KFC has approximately 25,000 locations in over 145 countries and territories globally.
1- Merry Christmas!
メリークリスマス！ Merīkurisumasu!
According to the Financial Times, in these three days the brand earns what it normally earns in a month. In 2018, for example, in the five days leading up to Christmas KFC Japan earned almost 7 billion yen (about 63 million dollars).
So, after over a year of lockdowns and social distancing, KFC Australia decided there was no better way to bring some warmth to the chillier winter temperatures in Australia than to also spread some holiday cheer!
In Japan, women had traditionally been expected to marry at a young age, and those who were unmarried after the age of 25 were metaphorically referred to as (unsold) Christmas cakes (クリスマスケーキ) in reference to items which are still unsold after the 25th.
After World War II, Christian missionaries brought gifts and the concept of Christmas to Japanese schools and families. Japan adopted the holiday, not for religious reasons, but to show prosperity in a modern world.
New Year Celebrations or 'Shogatsu'
It's possibly the most important holiday in Japan, and women and girls often wear beautiful kimono to celebrate the occasion.
Australians often celebrate Christmas Day by enjoying a Christmas lunch or dinner with their closest family and friends. The meal usually consists of a selection of hot and cold dishes, including fresh seafood.
The song, popular with school-aged kids, explains that Santa's reindeer get a rest while six white boomers (boomer is Aussie slang for a male kangaroo) lead Santa's sleigh through Australia! After all the toys are delivered, they even help a little joey (a baby kangaroo) find his mommy.