Christmas in Japan

In Japan, most people are not Christians but they all celebrate Christmas.
Christmas came to Japan about 450 years ago, but in 1587, the government prohibited Christianity. From the Meiji period Christmas became a business event and many stores started to decorate their interior and sell Christmas goods. Still now, Christmas is kind of a commercial event in Japan.

In Japan, Christmas is a day for couples to go out and see the beautiful illuminations in the city and share their love. The cities are full of Christmas decorations from the end of November. From that time, people started thinking about Christmas. Young people who don't have a lover, seem to feel very depressed and become jealous of the people who has one.

But it is not only for couples, it is also for families. Children get presents from Santa Claus so they seem to remember Christmas as a day that Santa gives presents. People go out for dinner or get something very nice to eat and enjoy the mood of Christmas. The world famous KFC is one of the symbols of Christmas in Japan,and every year so many people line up to get the special bucket full of chicken on Christmas Eve.