In a 2022 World Cup group stage encounter on Wednesday in Qatar, Japan won a historic first-ever victory over Germany, sparking jubilant celebrations. However, the Japanese squad, who are regarded as the world’s classiest athletes, once again captured the hearts of social media users with their unique gestures. After defeating Germany, they cleaned their locker area and left it spotless rather than celebrating the triumph.
“After a historic victory against Germany at the #FIFAWorldCup on Match Day 4, Japan fans cleaned up their trash in the stadium, whereas the @jfa samurai blue left their changing room at Khalifa International Stadium like this,” FIFA wrote alongside a photo of the locker room. Spotless.”
In the image, the counter in the middle of the room is nicely placed with towels, water bottles, and leftover food containers. Along with some folded paper cranes for good measure, the Japanese crew also left a letter stating “thank you” in Japanese and Arabic.
Japan fans remained in the stands at Khalifa International Stadium, not to celebrate the outcome, but to clean
The post-match clean-up process that Japanese fans are famous for continued. After their team had won 2-1, the Japanese spectators at Khalifa International Stadium stayed behind to pick up the trash rather than to celebrate the victory. As soon as the stadium began to empty, Japanese fans could be seen retrieving disposable light blue trash bags. Walking across the stadium, they could be seen stooping to pick up broken cups, bottles, food wrappers, and even discarded German flags.
Social media users were moved by the act of kindness and in awe of Japanese culture and traditions. A user posted, “The players also found the strength and composure to clean up their locker room after a grueling game and the adrenaline high of one of their biggest victories ever. Find the origami that they also left behind. I really have the utmost respect for their dedication to hygiene. When it comes to “manners and work ethic,” another person commented “Japan is unbeatable by any nation…
One fan said, “We are Japanese, and we do not leave waste behind us, and we respect the place,” when questioned by another fan on social media why this had become a Japanese fans’ norm.
