The American Fast Food Chain That's Surprisingly Popular In Japan

Japan may be a small island nation, but the East Asian country's cultural and culinary exports have completely flooded the global market. Sushi restaurants, for example, have become a massive international phenomenon, though the dish itself only began to gain international recognition some 60-odd years ago. Other Japanese delicacies, including ramen noodles, shrimp tempura, and forms of mochi, have spread to nearly every corner of the planet. Though Japan clearly has no shortage of rich and flavorful culinary traditions, there is one kind of quintessentially American fare that the Japanese themselves can't seem to get enough of: Kentucky Fried Chicken.

It might come as a surprise to learn that KFC is the most popular fast food chain in Japan, despite the fact that the brand as a whole has been struggling in recent years. As of 2023, there are over 1200 KFC locations scattered across the Land of the Rising Sun, and the chain is recognized as something of a gastronomic institution by generations of Japanese people. In fact, eating at KFC has notoriously become a popular holiday tradition for many Japanese families since the chain arrived in the country in 1970. The secrets to KFC's longstanding success in Japan? Westernization, clever marketing, and a heaping helping of nostalgia.

To fully unpack the influence that KFC has had on Japanese culture, it's necessary to understand the economic landscape of Japan in the 20th century. After World War II ended in 1945, the Japanese economy was left in ruins. However, the onset of the Korean War in 1950 increased the demand for Japanese goods, which paved the way for what became known as the Japanese Economic Miracle. Soon, foreign companies and fast food franchises began to flood Japan's market, with one of the most successful brands to do so being KFC.

When the first Japanese KFC opened in Nagoya in 1970, it was far from being an overnight success. At the time, Japan's own crispy karaage chicken had been around for a couple of decades and was only just beginning to take off. KFC's popularity didn't begin to skyrocket until 1974 after Takeshita Okawara, manager of the first Japanese KFC and eventual CEO of KFC Japan, launched the brand's now-iconic Kentucky for Christmas campaign. Feeding into a growing obsession with Western culture, Okawara marketed fried chicken as a popular meal for the American Christmas.

Since Christians make up less than 1% of Japan's population, the country lacked widespread Christmas traditions. Recognizing the holiday's marketing potential, Okawara rolled out a series of festive KFC commercials that created an undeniable buzz around the chain's novel Christmas party barrels. — an extra-large bucket stuffed with everything you need to feed your family. Today, it's reported that some 3.6 million Japanese families still enjoy KFC for Christmas annually.

For many Japanese people, especially those who grew up in the 70s and beyond, KFC remains a nostalgic dining destination that brings back childhood memories of Christmases spent with family. For Americans who recognize KFC as one of the worst fast food chicken chains in the U.S., however, it might be difficult to understand why the Colonel has such a stronghold in Japanese culture. The answer is simple: KFC in Japan is on its own level. Unlike in the States, KFC is considered the upper echelon of fast food dining in Japan, which translates to higher quality ingredients, better customer service, and unique menu offerings that can't be found anywhere else. This also means that Japanese KFC carries a higher price point, but most people are willing to pay a premium for that finger-lickin' chicken.

The best-selling item on KFC's Japanese menu is the Christmas party barrel, which can generate two-hour-long lines during the peak season. The festive combo meal includes a bucket of crispy chicken, cheesy shrimp gratin, and a chocolate Christmas cake for around 4,580 Japanese Yen (about $32). Year-round, the KFC Japan menu features country-specific items including teriyaki rice bowls, donut-shaped maple honey biscuits, chicken katsu sandwiches, and even Kentucky fried salmon. The Japanese version of the chain is also known to have monthly limited edition menu items that coincide with local celebrations like the cherry blossom season.