A KFC Kinda Christmas

Another post about KFC? I think so! Just snapped these today when I was waiting to order a coffee so that I could rightfully sit in KFC and study Japanese. Before you judge, you must know that the KFCs in Japan is much nicer than the ones in the U.S. Maybe not all of them are swanky here, but the one in my neighborhood has a second level that would trick any unsuspecting foreigner into thinking they had walked into a Starbucks. The seating is plush, and most merrily, a 7-song playlist of somewhat recognizable Christmas tunes (some in Japanese, many American) plays on loop, creating a familiar studying ambiance to which I am accustomed.

But here is the real reason why I wanted to post anew. This is what you - if you are so luck to be in Japan this time of year - can order to be ready for pickup on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or December 26th. A "Party Barrel" of chicken for ¥3880, or converted, a whopping $46!!! And while the Japanese are marking their calendars for this special fried chicken frenzy, the lines of which will be out the door, and filling up what remaining pickup slots are available for one of the above three dates, I have decidedly made plans not to drop my hard earned money on this "Party Barrel," as tempting as the taste of America is. But who can resist just one piece, or two even?

And check out that chocolate cake! Nothing goes better with fried chicken, honestly.


Carly, in her IUC classes, has been learning a little about Japan's "soft power" capabilities, which, in international politics, might be defined as the ability to obtain what one wants through co-option and attraction, contrasted with "hard power," which is the use of coercion and payment to gain what one wishes. Japan is of the belief, so I hear, that by exporting their manga culture (illustrated books, or comics) to the U.S., they will eventually win over the American people and have a stronger hand in guiding U.S.-Japan relations and politics. And to them I say, "good luck!" Well. Don't anyone tell Japan, but KFC appears to be making a soft power play on the Japanese, leading them away from their traditional onigiri and bentos and right into the hands of Colonel Sanders and everything else American. Not that this should surprise anyone; Japan loves American culture. However, if Japan is not careful, the Japanese may find themselves mired in another kind of American soft power : that which resides around their midsections. And they shall truly know an American holiday season. Happy holidays, all.