Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Monday, June 15, 2026, 08:01 / Updated Monday, June 15, 2026 08:02
Japan supporters stayed after the final whistle of the match with the Netherlands (2-2) to do a little cleaning in their stands.
While most fans left the Dallas stadium without looking behind them, hundreds of Japanese fans stayed in the stands a little longer to pick up their trash. Armed with blue bags, which they had brought themselves, they collected cups, packaging and other discarded waste.
France's Kylian Mbappe was so impressed by the Asians' gesture that he posted a video of them in action on Instagram and wrote: “Japanese fans show their class once again“. And next to it he put an emoji that applauds, as a sign of appreciation.
VIDEO. Japanese fans pick up trash from the stadium
This is not the first time that Japanese fans have attracted attention in this way. At the final tournament in 2022, held in Qatar, they impressed worldwide, leaving the stands clean after matches.
Japanese fan: “Our heart is clean, so the stands must be clean too”
Like their fans, the players left the locker room. Impeccable. They also left a message of thanks for the hosts. “Our heart is clean, so the stands must be clean. This means that the team is fulfilling its destiny,” explained a fan of the “blue samurai” present at the World Cup in Qatar.
“We're handing out bags to everyone sitting in the seats for the Japanese fans. So after the final whistle, we color the area blue. Tidying and cleaning when we leave is a manifestation of our culture“, pointed out another.
Cleanliness, an integral part of education
In Japan, cleanliness is an integral part of education. From an early age, children learn in schools (the Gomi or Osoji concept) to clean their own classrooms and keep order in public spaces.
Another fundamental principle is Mottainai (avoidance of waste and throwaways) and Soji, a spiritual practice that links physical cleanliness with purity of mind and heart.
