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Here's why Japan loves KFC on Christmas
ABC 10 News ^ | Dec 24, 2020 | Rob Harris

Posted on 12/24/2020 10:26:00 AM PST by 11th_VA

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Picture Christmas dinner, and staples like ham, turkey, potatoes, and cookies might come to mind for many Americans.

For families in Japan, however, a much different and very “bluegrass” meal comes to mind: a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

No, really.

What started as a pretty ingenious marketing plan by KFC back in the 1970s has created a December 25th tradition for millions of Japanese families each year.

The campaign encouraged families to swap turkey—which isn’t common in Japan—for a KFC dinner. It worked: according to the BBC, about 3.6 million families in Japan eat KFC each Christmas now.

We heard from Mitz Nabekura, a WakeUp11 viewer, who lived in Japan himself and still has family there.

When his dad and stepmom came to visit for Christmas in 2017, they were shocked and disappointed to learn that the “Kentucky” tradition they loved in their home was not in fact celebrated in Kentucky after all.

“They said, ‘really?! I can’t believe it! This is America!” recalled Nabekura. “Of course, when they got off the airplane the first thing they saw was the Colonel Sanders statue at the KFC there [in the Muhammad Ali airport] and they got really excited and said they had to take a picture with him.

“They were very disappointed that on actual Christmas day nothing here was open including KFC," he said. "So we got them the bucket of [KFC] the night before and they were able to eat that.”

(Excerpt) Read more at abc10.com ...


TOPICS: Food; Local News
KEYWORDS: chatforum; christmas; japan; kfc
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KFC - American Exceptionalism !!!
1 posted on 12/24/2020 10:26:00 AM PST by 11th_VA
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To: 11th_VA
I am with the Japanese on this. I don't particularly like turkey. But I just love KFC.

Now, tomorrow, my hosts for Christmas are grilling steaks--which is even better.

2 posted on 12/24/2020 10:33:04 AM PST by Lysandru
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To: 11th_VA

Banzai chicken 🐔


3 posted on 12/24/2020 10:33:55 AM PST by JonPreston (Crash the whole thing down)
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To: 11th_VA

This restaurant in Harrisburg, Illinois, is the largest KFC in the United States.

4 posted on 12/24/2020 10:34:56 AM PST by blam
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To: 11th_VA

From Bushido to KFC in one generation.


5 posted on 12/24/2020 10:37:01 AM PST by Rebelbase (A COVID misanthrope.)
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To: blam

That could be a shrine for Japanese ...


6 posted on 12/24/2020 10:37:14 AM PST by 11th_VA (Et Tu Fox News ?)
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To: 11th_VA
Burger King releases new Whopper to ward off evil in Japan
7 posted on 12/24/2020 10:38:05 AM PST by blam
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To: 11th_VA
For my Jewish friends growing up it was Chinese food and a movie, although one of them now ironically prefers Sushi for Xmas.

Taking my mother out to dinner tonight as it’s just the two of us. Never likes Turkey at anytime of year.

8 posted on 12/24/2020 10:39:32 AM PST by Clemenza
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To: 11th_VA

Used to be our family tradition on Christmas Eve but most of my family is gone. Now they have mini wings in the bucket ( pidgeon? ) which are all broken. Did the birds owe somebody money?


9 posted on 12/24/2020 10:42:21 AM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult
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To: 11th_VA

I almost never eat KFC anymore. Some years ago, they changed the recipe, so now it doesn’t taste as good. And instead of honey for your biscuits, they give you something called “honey sauce,” a concoction that is mostly high fructose corn syrup.


10 posted on 12/24/2020 10:42:30 AM PST by Fiji Hill
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To: 11th_VA

I Think I'm Turning Japanese
11 posted on 12/24/2020 10:43:37 AM PST by BraveMan
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To: Fiji Hill

They still make the best coleslaw - but it has to be fresh


12 posted on 12/24/2020 10:43:57 AM PST by 11th_VA (Et Tu Fox News ?)
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To: 11th_VA

Colonel Sanders is a real celebrity in Japan.

There are many movies about him.

King Kong Versus Colonel Sanders.
Mothra Versus Colonel Sanders.
Colonel Sanders Versus Mecha Colonel Sanders.

They usually end with Colonel Sanders walking into the ocean.


13 posted on 12/24/2020 10:44:07 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer”)
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To: Clemenza
For my Jewish friends growing up it was Chinese food and a movie

Chinese restaurants being one of the few places that would remain open on Christmas Day, it makes sense.

14 posted on 12/24/2020 10:44:42 AM PST by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
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To: Fiji Hill

But its SO healthy!....eating a KFC meal is like running a half marathon. Lol


15 posted on 12/24/2020 10:45:31 AM PST by V_TWIN (Where's Hunter???)
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To: 11th_VA

I wonder if KFC still gets their chicken from China?
Last I heard, as unbelievable as that is, with all of the American Farms, KFC and PaPa John’s pizza get their meat products from China.


16 posted on 12/24/2020 10:47:09 AM PST by David Chase
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To: 11th_VA

That’s what we’re having tomorrow!


17 posted on 12/24/2020 10:52:12 AM PST by kaehurowing
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To: Fiji Hill
I almost never eat KFC anymore.

I prefer Popeye's even though I get an unwanted side order of 'Attitude' whenever I go there.

KFC leaves a bitter aftertaste in my mouth whenever I eat it.

18 posted on 12/24/2020 10:56:06 AM PST by rllngrk33 (The only thing goverment does efficiently is waste taxpayer money.)
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To: Clemenza
For my Jewish friends growing up it was Chinese food and a movie ...

You don't have to be Jewish to do Chinese on Christmas ...
19 posted on 12/24/2020 10:57:27 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: blam

I know it’s KFC but it kinda of looks like the Chick-Fil-A in my town. Real nice place, nice staff. Well, it was but now you can only get take out. Damned Covid.


20 posted on 12/24/2020 10:58:52 AM PST by jmacusa (If we're all equal how is diversity our strength?)
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