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As of this writing, there are greater than 25,000 KFC branches in over 145 nations around the globe, with 1200 of these situated within the Japanese archipelago. Even for those who’ve by no means tried the meals—for some wild motive—, you’ve undoubtedly seen the enduring head of its distinguished founder, Colonel Sanders, floating excessive above visitors, beckoning you to sink your tooth into his crunchy poultry. Apparently sufficient, in Japan, this identical southern gentleman can be current at each single Christmas dinner desk spreading his dapper cheer.
However why? How did an ubiquitous fast-food restaurant turn into an indispensable a part of the Japanese vacation custom?
Embracing the Colonel
In response to a Harvard College skilled on Japanese tradition, as soon as the inhabitants rose above the post-World Battle II ranges of poverty and started to turn into financially unbiased, they might now partake within the myriad of client choices that populated the nation, which had been quite a lot of.
Throughout Japan’s interval of speedy financial progress, the proliferation of Western customs unfold like wildfire across the nation, bringing beloved chains like Baskin Robbins, Mister Donut and sure, the mustachioed mascot himself into eating tradition in 1970.
“Kentucky for Christmas”
In the meantime in Seventies America, KFC started an aggressive media marketing campaign promoting their buckets of fried gold, none extra influential than soul-singer Joe Tex’s spirited on-stage endorsement of its “finger-lickin’” goodness. KFC Japan adopted go well with a couple of years later in 1974 with a sequence of advertisements initially focusing on ex-pats residing overseas that advised they fight “Kentucky for Christmas” in lieu of the coveted but elusive turkey. Why, with a “Celebration Barrel” set menu, one may simply simulate the heat of the season because of KFC’s one-stop-shop.
The greasy deal was completely sealed when then-CEO of KFC Japan, Takeshi Okawara, donned a Santa costume on the Christmas celebration, which not dazzled the kids, however opened his eyes to the true potential of “Kentucky for Christmas”.
On The Promoting Wagon
Naturally, an concept and a Santa costume received’t herald Christmastime prospects merely like a barrage of fastidiously orchestrated and emotionally focused commercials can. By the Nineteen Eighties, KFC Japan’s advert machine spared no expense and had clearly thought by means of the methods of find out how to make fried hen with roots within the plains of Kentucky hit dwelling with Japanese households.
Take this jazzy bubble-era collage of city-living denizens having fun with KFC for Christmas, or, conversely, a heartwarming 1983 spot that includes Stephen Fosters 18th-century tune “My Outdated Kentucky Residence” performed over scenes of rural Americana. With a TV in each family, households had been uncovered to the concept maybe KFC was not solely synonymous with household, however Christmas as properly. Thus, Okawara’s authentic spark had lastly reworked into custom.
A Trendy Vacation KFC
Iterations on the commemorative plates, worker costumes and commercials modified over time, finally solidifying KFC’s maintain on Christmas. This unique phenomenon exists in an area that’s essentially American and but uniquely Japanese. So, if you end up in Japan through the holidays, why not indulge within the nationwide pastime and seize your self a bucket. It could simply really feel unusually acquainted.
Josh Furr
Joshua first got here to Japan together with his household over 10 years in the past and it utterly ruined his life (in the very best of the way). When he’s not attempting to cross the JLPT, he’s researching Japanese historical past, having fun with 80s J-Pop and dreaming of 牛丼. He’s presently writing, writing, writing…largely about Japan and video video games.
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