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December 10, 2015 • mccsokinawa.com
okinawalivingweekly Christmas in Japan
Clockwise from the top: Thomas Alan Smilie, monkeybusinessimages/bigstock.com,
MCFTB Open House
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n the 20th century Japan began to adopt some of the more commercial holiday activities. The annual holiday sales, started by major Japanese department stores in the 1930s, coincided with the end-of-year bonuses. It was also at this time that the West began ordering holiday decorations and toys made in Japanese factories. Now, in the 21st century, more and more Japanese people are spending money on their own holiday décor, putting up lights and decorating trees. One newspaper poll revealed more than half of Japan’s population exchange gifts. Holiday illuminations, or large light displays, are frequent events. In Japan, the festivities are usually on Christmas Eve. It is considered a romantic holiday for couples, similar to Valentine’s Day. It is a time when the unmarried may express their intentions, give flowers and other small gifts—or bemoan the fact they
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don’t have a date. Fancy restaurants and romantic getaway hotels are often booked at this time of year. Christmas cakes, instead of fruitcake and pumpkin pie, are a favorite in the East. Bakeries feature all kinds of confections including round cakes topped with a Santa figurine, sweets in the shape of yule logs and other decorated sponge cakes. This tradition began during the post-WWII period when Japanese purchased buttercream sponge cakes from Western-style restaurants and bakeries. Since few Japanese homes have a full-size oven, cooking a whole turkey is not common. Fried chicken is more popular, and Christmas Eve brings booming business to Kentucky Fried Chicken chains. So to celebrate Christmas Japanese-style, forgo caroling for a romantic night out with your loved one— and don’t forget a cake and bucket of chicken.
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arine Corps Family Team Building (MCFTB) serves to enhance and support units and their families through its several branches including Deployment Support, the Family Readiness Program, the Japanese Spouse Orientation Program, Lifeskills and L.I.N.K.S. Education in these areas reinforces the pillars of total Marine fitness, while sustaining a state of personal, family and mission readiness. Learn more about what MCFTB is all about and meet the people behind the program at the MCFTB Open House on December 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Camp Foster (Bldg. 5677). Join other families for an afternoon of crafts, origami and information from MCFTB trainers. Snacks and light refreshments will be served. Visit mccsokinawa.com/ mcftb for details.
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