KFC in Japan is gearing up for the Christmas tradition of millions of families thronging the US fast-food chain for special festive buckets of deep-fried chicken and other treats.

"Reservations for KFC Christmas typically begin around the beginning of November," Takuma Kawamura, a KFC marketing manager, told AFP at a new upmarket pop-up eatery in Tokyo.

"From that time, stores with the Colonel statue will dress him in Christmas attire," he said, referring to KFC's late founder Colonel Sanders, a widely recognised figure in Japan.

Japan has a tiny Christian majority and Christmas is a secular festival of full-bore consumerism complete with Santa, gifts and streetlights. Couples often go on dates on Christmas Eve.

For food, families often gorge themselves on special "Party Barrels" burst

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