Japan’s soccer fans have become known around the world for leaving stadiums spotless before they depart and it was no different after their thrilling 2-2 draw in the World Cup against Netherlands.
Minutes after Daichi Kamada had equalised to earn Japan a point in their opening game, their fans were tidying the space around them at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, picking up litter and disposing it in huge plastic bags they had brought with them to the match.
The Japan fans have become known for it, and The Athletic spoke to some of them as part of our Language of Soccer series in the build-up to this World Cup.
“We’re polite,” says Kayo Kita, a New York City-based Japan supporter. “We don’t chant against the other team. For example, I went to the friendly against Mexico in Oakland (California) last September.
“We became friends with the Mexican supporters. Of course, we fight against each other on the pitch, but we also connect with our opponents. That’s what Japanese supporters bring.
“But at the same time, we don’t want our supporters to think that they’re only there to clean the stadium. We’re there to win the games, you know? I don’t want Japanese fans to be famous only for that.”
(Charlotte Wilson / Getty Images)
It’s by no means a new thing, and Japan’s fans first went viral for their tidy behaviour at the 2018 World Cup in Russia — even after an agonising defeat ended their run in that competition. They were beaten in the final minute of the game by Belgium in the last-16, despite having gone two goals ahead.
After that game the Japan players also left their changing room remarkably clean, with a handwritten note that said ‘thank you’ in Russian.
It was the same four years later in Qatar too, where Japan secured some of their most famous victories, against Germany and Spain, as they topped Group E.
“For Japanese people, this is just a normal thing to do,” said Hajime Moriyasu, the coach of the 2022 team. “When you leave a place, you have to leave it cleaner than it was before.”
AloJapan.com