"Why Are Only Japanese Fans So Welcomed?"... Fans Pull Out Trash Bags After the Match

"Why Japan Is So Welcomed at Tournaments," Praised by International Media

On June 14 (local time), after the Japan-Netherlands match ended in a draw at the Dallas Stadium in Texas, United States, the behavior of Japanese spectators drew attention. Japanese football fans took out garbage bags and thoroughly cleaned the seats they had used.

According to foreign media outlets such as The Athletic and France 24, the blue trash bags brought by Japanese football fans symbolize "Samurai Blue," the nickname of the Japan national team. During the match, these bags are used as cheering props, and after the game, they serve to collect trash around the seats.

Fans cheering for the Japan national team during the Group F match of the North and Central American World Cup. Photo by YNA Yonhap News

In an interview with France 24, Eita Tanaka, who attended the match, explained, "Japanese people are taught to leave a place cleaner than they found it," adding, "We also have to consider the next person who will sit there." The outlet emphasized, "This clean cheering culture of Japanese fans has now become a trademark representing Japan on the international stage."

The American sports media outlet The Athletic also reported, "Even Fox News, which denies climate change, showed the irony of stressing the importance of waste separation after watching Japanese fans," and asserted, "This is why Japan is regarded as one of the most respected and welcomed nations in such tournament matches."

The stadium cleaning culture among Japanese fans has been internationally recognized since the 1998 France World Cup. At the 2018 Russia World Cup and the 2022 Qatar World Cup, fans also meticulously cleaned the stands before leaving the stadium, regardless of the outcome, drawing attention from global netizens.

This emphasis on tidiness extends to the national team itself. The Japanese squad is also known to have left only origami cranes in their locker room after use before departing the stadium. In Japan, origami cranes symbolize gratitude. CNN in the United States reported, "Whether they won or lost, there was not a single stain in the locker rooms of the Japanese team in 2018 and 2022," adding, "The only traces left by the Japan national team were notes of thanks and origami cranes."

Meanwhile, Japan faced off against the strong Dutch team, considered a tournament favorite, finishing the match in a 2-2 draw. Having ended their first World Cup match in a draw, Japan will play their second match against Tunisia at 1 p.m. on June 21.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.