Christmas isn’t a major religious holiday in Japan. Only about 1% of the population is Christian. So the holiday was wide open for marketing genius to step in.
Here’s the story: In 1970, a foreign customer at the first KFC in Japan mentioned he missed having turkey for Christmas. The manager, Takeshi Okawara, saw a golden opportunity—or rather, a golden-fried opportunity. He created a “Party Barrel” specifically for Christmas and marketed it as the way to celebrate. It’s a bit like if a bakery convinced you that bagels are the official food of Thanksgiving. And it worked.
Why Chicken? Why Not Turkey?
Good question, and I love that you’re asking it. Turkey is nearly impossible to find in Japanese supermarkets. It’s expensive and most ovens in Japanese homes are tiny. A whole turkey simply doesn’t fit. KFC’s fried chicken, however, is accessible, shareable, and feels special. It’s a fun, no-fuss party food. Plus, the Colonel’s face is way more festive than a raw turkey’s, isn’t it?
The marketing campaign sold it as a “Christmas of the West” experience. So now, millions of Japanese families order KFC weeks ahead. If you forget to pre-order, you might be standing in a line that snakes around the block on December 24th. I am not exaggerating.
