KFC for Christmas Dinner in Japan

[StealthPolarBear]

This year I have learned this the tradition in Japan through a Facebook post, a BBC news item and a book I'm reading. It seems to the the popular fact to share this year.
Yet as it's tradition it's presumably been this way for the last couple of decades. Why is this fact everywhere in 2018 but not before?

Stealth - It's a popular dessert in Japan so you'll sometimes see it in meal deals, as you may in England.

Beansonapost I take your point for maybe the bbc news item and fb post from a friend (although I find it difficult to understand the link as neither of these are personalised) but the third one was in a book I happened to be reading! Not about Japan, just a passing reference.

Baader Meinhof phenomenon??

A pp mentioned that. I need to Google!

I get what your saying.

The actual fact is almost unimportant really! the point is that this is a thing but until this year no one bothered to share it but for some reason this year it's something loads of people have heard or shared. So why this year is it an interesting thing to tell others but never before? Why is it interesting this year but last year no one cared?

Like you I'd never heard it before but so far this month Iv read about it at least three times.

Exactly! It can't be a new trend (in which case it would be trending) as it is a tradition (although it sounds like not as widespread as I maybe assumed).

Baader Meinhof phenomenon sounds plausible but the thing is, it isn't a new car, or a small country I'd never paid attention to. I am fully aware of the first time I came across the fact as it's the first time I learnt it. It's not like thinking about buying a porsche and then realising they're everywhere. I know porsches exist but may be passing them every day without paying atte toon. I get that.

I really want a KFC now

Hmm. I heard about it this year too, but on MN, and haven't heard about it anywhere else.

I remember a news story from a few years ago where for a flight from japan on Christmas Eve, the airline organized KFC for everyone.

I think it’s probably just a coincidence for you.