NGT48 McNugget buckets
McDonald's Japan's 48-piece chicken McNugget meal features images of popular singing group, NGT48.

NIIGATA, Japan – McDonald’s Holdings Co. (Japan) restaurants are offering a 48-piece chicken McNugget bucket as part of a promotion with a popular all-girl Japanese singing group, NGT48. A typical offering of McNuggets in Japan ranges from five to 15.

The buckets feature one of two images of the group and contain on of 25 limited edition commemorative cards with individual pictures of the singers, as NGT48 consists of 25 members. The buckets sell for approximately $16. The limited-time offering will be available starting Dec. 1 in 38 McDonald’s restaurants in Japan’s Niigata Prefecture, where NGT48 is based.

McDonald’s Japan is working to reconnect with consumers following a series of food safety issues that have dogged the unit. On Nov. 11, the company recorded a consolidated net income loss of ¥29.28 billion yen ($238.73 million) for the third quarter, its worst result since its stock listing in 2001, the Japan Times reported.

“We will continue to focus on ensuring food quality while making additional progress on our modernization plan, delivering customer visible points of change, accelerating business recovery, and achieving long-term growth,” the company said in its earnings release. “We are committed to providing customers the best possible dining experience by delivering the highest possible level of QSC (Quality, Service and Cleanliness) with an unwavering focus on building stronger relationships in local communities.

“We will continue to progress efforts to achieve our vision of becoming a modern burger restaurant that connects with our customers.”