Christmas It signifies a variety of traditions for those celebrating, such as white elephant gift giving, holiday light viewing, volunteer work, and caroling good company or participate in various food.
Here in America, Christmas dinner classic It includes roast turkey (usually placed on a bed of herbs and festive fruit), glazed ham and minced meat. sopa de galle — A hearty soup made from ground beef and pork and pasta shells is a Christmas lunch must-have. in denmark, Jules Schild — pickled herring seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and sandalwood — in southern Italy, Seven fish feast — an elaborate spread of seven fish dishes clamsmussels, halibut, shrimp, anchovies, squid and scallops.
Even those who don’t observe Christmas itself can celebrate it with Chinese food. a customary meal among JewsThis tradition first started in New York’s Lower East Side. There, Chinese food shared similar flavors with traditional Jewish food.
But in Japan, the Christmas feast clearly comes from an American source.Families, friends and loved ones gather around the dinner table to enjoy piping hot, fresh buckets Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)Let’s take a closer look at the history behind this fast food tradition and its importance today.
history
Japan began to welcome American fast food after World War II, when its once-devastated economy experienced a period of record growthConsumerism is at an all-time high, and Western franchises, notably Baskin Robbins, Mr. Donuts and The Original Pancake House, have been successfully introduced nationally. Western fashion, food, and travel were also popular. cultural powerhouse of the time.
Japan’s first KFC opened in Nagoya in 1970, and by 1981 the chain had opened 324 stores, about $200 million annuallyFour years after its founding, KFC launched its first marketing campaign called “Kentucky for Christmas” or “Kentucky for Christmas” created by Takeshi Okawara, Japan’s first KFC manager. Some say Okawara was inspired by attending a Christmas party dressed as Santa. Foreign customer request For Christmas fried chicken he was intrigued. Either way, Okawara’s campaign quickly became a national phenomenon.
It didn’t take long for “Kentucky for Christmas” to catch on with consumers. The campaign was known for its clever advertising that hailed fried chicken as a luxury meal and appealed to Japanese cultural values tied to the family.Around CNNsuch early ads often showed families enjoying a big feast of crispy fried chicken while the song “My Old Kentucky Home” played in the background. “Christmas Party Barrel” Fried chicken, coleslaw, and holiday cakes were also popular showcases, and consumers usually enjoyed them in large crowds.
“Being able to share food is an important social practice in Japan,” said Ted Bestor, a professor of social anthropology at Harvard University. It fulfills that desire,” he said. CNN.
KFC in Japan today
In December, many KFC restaurants will feature a life-size statue of Colonel Sanders dressed as Santa Claus. It’s hard not to mistake Sanders for Santa Claus, especially with his white facial hair, pot belly, and festive getup.
A statue of Colonel Sanders in a Santa costume taken in Tokyo, Japan, December 23, 2020. (Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images)
today, Estimated 3.6 million Japanese households Enjoy KFC during the Christmas season. Demand for fried chicken is so high, KFC Japan said, “as early as late October, he will start promoting holiday specials and accepting pre-orders and reservations.” Chain official websiteQueues outside the restaurant start on December 23rd, with Christmas Eve being KFC Japan’s busiest day with regular sales. about 5 to 10 times than a typical day.
In addition to its signature “party barrel,” KFC Japan offers seasonal items like premium roast chicken, which KFC describes. The buckets also change each year, featuring a variety of side options, new festive bucket designs, and fun commemorative plaques inside.
People line up in front of a KFC restaurant in Tokyo on December 23, 2020. (Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images)
“The design of the bucket and sides can change every year, but KFC’s famous fried chicken is at the center of the party bucket, and it’s the Japanese Christmas holidays.” Said“Kentucky for Christmas is a Japanese tradition that remains here.”