Japan's World Cup team and its fans have drawn worldwide praise after both left Dallas Stadium spotless following a dramatic 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on June 14. Photos shared by FIFA showed the Samurai Blue's locker room immaculate after the match, with used towels neatly folded, trash bagged, and every player's stall left clean.
Up in the stands, the supporters did the same. Armed with blue plastic bags they had waved during the game, thousands of Japanese fans stayed behind to collect bottles and food wrappers from their section before leaving. NFL quarterback Jameis Winston, working as a Fox World Cup correspondent, even joined in, pulling on a Japan jersey and grabbing a bag. Asked why they do it, one fan explained simply: "That's the culture. It's respect for everything, the players, supporters and the stadium. We are honored to be here, so we don't want to make a mess and then leave it."
The tradition dates to Japan's first World Cup in 1998 and reappears every tournament, win or lose. On the pitch, Japan twice came from behind, with Daichi Kamada striking an 88th-minute equalizer.
Sources: Fox 4 Dallas, Daily Hive, The Statesman.
Japan's World Cup team and its fans have drawn worldwide praise after both left Dallas Stadium spotless following a dramatic 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on June 14. Photos shared by FIFA showed the Samurai Blue's locker room immaculate after the match, with used towels neatly folded, trash bagged, and every player's stall left clean.
Up in the stands, the supporters did the same. Armed with blue plastic bags they had waved during the game, thousands of Japanese fans stayed behind to collect bottles and food wrappers from their section before leaving. NFL quarterback Jameis Winston, working as a Fox World Cup correspondent, even joined in, pulling on a Japan jersey and grabbing a bag. Asked why they do it, one fan explained simply: "That's the culture. It's respect for everything, the players, supporters and the stadium. We are honored to be here, so we don't want to make a mess and then leave it."
The tradition dates to Japan's first World Cup in 1998 and reappears every tournament, win or lose. On the pitch, Japan twice came from behind, with Daichi Kamada striking an 88th-minute equalizer.
Sources: Fox 4 Dallas, Daily Hive, The Statesman.
