In Japan, they are called “Pocky” (ポッキー, pokki). When a narrow stick-like objects break, it is expressed as “pokkin” in Japanese onomatopoeia. Ezaki Glico, a Japanese confectionery maker, named the product “Pocky” from this sound.

In Japan, it is common to pat small children’s heads to praise them for being a good boy/girl. This is generally done from parents to their children, from relatives to children, or from older brothers/sisters to younger brothers/sisters.