
This summer, consumers in Japan were shocked by the news of “Chickengate”, the Chinese food scandal that revealed a dirty secret behind our favorite Chicken McNuggets. Since then, McDonald’s Japan has tried to win back customers with Tofu McNuggets, and more recently introduced the “Hiru Mac” or “Lunchtime Mac” to encourage patrons to come for lunch and enjoy great discounted prices.
But, the public still worries about where the chicken is coming from. The sales of McNuggets haven’t recovered since McDonald’s Japan revealed that the chicken comes from Thailand, so they’re trying a new tactic of…giving away free Chicken McNuggets.
It seems that with the purchase of any item comes a handy pamphlet with the bold words “Chicken McNuggets: all about safety, taste and peace of mind”. It reminds customers that all the chicken no longer comes from China with handy pictures and flow charts. And then at the very end, it thanks you for your patronage with a coupon that gets you free Chicken McNuggets!
McDonald’s Japan has gone the old sales trick of “FREE STUFF!” to try and bring their customers back. What do the Japanese public think about such a transparent ruse?
▼“…Obviously sales of McNuggets are low. I wonder if they can recover.”
https://twitter.com/yayotakap/status/522954416509300737▼“And then I got a free coupon.”
そしてナゲットの招待券もらった pic.twitter.com/7MXLtltWO9
— ⛩杏子⛓️12/8梶fes (@ankomizuki) October 17, 2014
▼“…It’s hard to gain back trust. I’ll give anyone this free coupon! LOL”
最近マクド行く度にこういうの貰うけど私はもうナゲット食べる気はない
— ゆうみ (@fujimocchan_422) October 17, 2014
赤字やからか知らんけど失った信頼を取り戻すって難しいなー。
無料券は誰かにあげよう(笑) pic.twitter.com/ZFLo4uxsYb
It doesn’t seem like they are winning back every customer. There still appears to be some very real concerns about where the ingredients come from. Their mushroom risotto balls didn’t seem to help their cause either. Looks like McDonald’s Japan is going to have to do a bit more to reassure the public that their ingredients are safe and tasty. In the meantime though…Free McNuggets until New Year’s Eve!
Source: Itai News
Top Image: McDonald’s Japan

Cautious consumers wary of McDonald’s free McNuggets, fear of tainted chicken lingers
McDonald’s Japan is changing the ingredients in Chicken McNuggets
How to make McDonald’s Katsu Curry Chicken McNuggets
McDonald’s adds wasabi and teriyaki sauces to their Chicken McNuggets in Japan
McDonald’s Japan goes beyond chicken by adding shrimp nuggets to menu
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Our writer transforms into a rock goddess in hopes of teaming up legendary musician Yoshiki 【Vid】
How to speak Japanese like a gyaru【2024 edition】
X Japan’s Yoshiki, L’Arc-en-Ciel’s Hyde preview co-op theme for Attack on Titan Season 3【Video】
Japanese penguin plushie takes you from egg to chick to adult bird in seconds
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
The mystery of the phantom “sake pass card” at Japanese alcohol vending machines
New world’s biggest Muji just opened in Japan, and we paid it a visit【Photos】
From beef bowl to beef pouch? Taste testing Yoshinoya’s instant gyudon packs
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Is McDonald’s Japan’s new tandoori chicken curry McNugget sauce better with naan?【Taste test】
McDonald’s Japan’s new spicy McNuggets promise to punch you in the face with spiciness
McDonald’s Japan offers customers the chance to win a chicken nugget made from 18-karat gold
McDonald’s releases Katsu Curry Chicken McNuggets, but do they taste Japanese?
Are the new shrimp nuggets from McDonald’s Japan better than chicken McNuggets?
McDonald’s Japan releases Spicy Chicken McNuggets so spicy they’ll knock you out? 【Taste Test】
McKatsudon: Easy to make with new spicy chicken nuggets from McDonald’s Japan
How to turn McDonald’s chicken nuggets into tasty katsudon in five minutes【SoraKitchen】
Chicken McNugget rice cooker rice — Can it beat KFC rice cooker rice?【SoraKitchen】
Shrimp nuggets returning to McDonald’s Japan menu with a special surprise
McDonald’s offering massive 48-McNuggest bucket in Japan, but true idol fans need to eat 1,200
Lemon & Cheese pies from McDonald’s bring some sunshine to the rainy season【Taste test】
McDonald’s Japan just released Tofu Nuggets, and they taste… 【Taste Test】
When life gives you McDonald’s curry sauce, make…curry rice!
Japanese McNuggets now come with creamy corn sauce, we attempt a potage with it
Leave a Reply