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SNAKING queues at almost every KFC restaurant are a common sight ahead of Christmas in Japan, but the COVID-19 distancing rules have disrupted the tradition. This year, KFC in Japan asked consumers to order online and pick up their fried chicken at the appointed time, instead of waiting in line as usual.
The days leading up to Christmas are the biggest selling week for KFC in Japan and this year it is hoped that the income from Christmas celebrations will also remain promising. This tradition has been going on in Japan since the 1970s. Although only about 1% of Japan’s population is Christian, Christmas celebrations are part of the festive year-end holidays there.
The deep connection between fried chicken and Christmas starts with foreign consumers in Japan who complain that they can’t find turkey during the holiday season. The inaugural “Kentucky for Christmas” promotion started in 1974, aimed at couples, consisted of a basket of fried chicken along with a bottle of wine.
KFC Japan is promoting an early Christmas campaign and providing promotional prices for people who book in advance to avoid crowding. KFC Japan’s Christmas sales in 2019 hit a record 7.1 billion yen, but fell to 6.9 billion yen in 2020 amid distancing restrictions and a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The tradition of eating fried chicken is also followed by the FamilyMart and Seven & I Holdings chain stores which offer their signature dishes. KFC made its way to Japan in the early 1970s and their Christmas campaign took place almost simultaneously with a shift in the culture of eating out, says University of Kansas professor Eric C. Rath who researched the topic.
“Eating out is becoming more common for families and young people, especially young women,” he said. [antaranews]
