Japanese Soccer Fans: Cleaning Up After Themselves

0:00On April 28th, Japanese soccer fans are famous for cleaning up stadiums after World Cup games, a habit that started back in 1998, during their first tournament in France. Every four years since, they've swept up trash, picked up cups, and left places spotless like they did in Qatar in 2022. Expect the same when Japan kicks off group play in June, in Arlington, Texas, and Monterey, Mexico. This goes beyond fans. Japanese players even tidied their dressing room after a loss in Russia in 2018, and left thank you notes in Russian. Fans did the same in Qatar, writing notes in Arabic, English, and Japanese on trash bags. It shocks folks from other countries used to leaving messes behind. Experts point to school life in Japan, where kids from elementary on clean classrooms and fields since there are no janitors. A key phrase sums it up. Tatsu Tori, Ato Wo, Nigo Sazu, meaning a bird leaves no trace. Basically, leave it like you found it. With few public trash cans, people just take waste home.

1:03Sociologists say it's about mewaku, avoiding bother to others, and a focus on the group over the individual, unlike in the West. Praise for media worldwide has turned it into national pride, reinforcing the behavior. You'll see this tradition everywhere Japanese fans go, from last year's under 20 World Cup in Chile to Wimbley Stadium last month, where they beat. England, rooted in soccer's community vibe from Japan's pro league over 30 years ago, it keeps shining as a clean example of respect. From around the world, powered by AI, this is Global News Today. I'm Kori with the story.