ABC News reports that Japanese think KFC when it comes to Christmas. Like Americans think turkey and ham for Christmas, Japanese think KFC chicken meals for Christmas. Although Christmas is not a holiday in Japan, it is a commercial success. Eager Christmas customers place their order for a bucket of chicken, called “party barrels” there, up to two months before to make sure they can get a bite of that wonderful eleven herbs and spice chicken on Christmas day.

"You can't go through Christmas without KFC," Akane Yoshida, a KFC aficionado says. "The KFC ads are everywhere during the holidays. You can't help but think about it."

KFC launched its first Christmas meal in Japan thirty six years ago with a chicken and wine dinner for $10, a high-end ticket item for the Colonel. Last year KFC stores reached their highest holiday sales in 14 years and this year they look likely to hit another high.

"Our holiday sales are five to ten times higher than other months," Yokokawa, the KFC spokesman says.