The history of why Japan eats KFC at Christmas: 🎅🏻 In Japan, eating KFC on Christmas stems from a successful 1974 marketing campaign called “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii!” (Kentucky for Christmas) Takeshi Okawara, manager of the first KFC in Japan (opened 1970), capitalized on the lack of established Christmas food traditions in the mostly non-Christian country. He promoted fried chicken as a convenient substitute for hard-to-find Western turkey, inspired by expats missing holiday meals. The campaign exploded in popularity, turning KFC "party barrels" into a festive staple—often pre-ordered weeks ahead. Today, it remains a beloved custom, with millions of families enjoying it annually, accounting for a huge chunk of KFC Japan's yearly sales. 🎄 Will you eat KFC this Christmas?