https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44492611
Image copyrightREUTERS
After a heated World Cup match, the stands are usually left with food waste, cups and wrappers scattered in the heat of the moment.
Japanese fans certainly had reason to go wild on Tuesday night. Their side won their opening game, beating Colombia 2-1, and securing the team's first victory against a South American side.
But after the team swept Colombia off the pitch, Japanese fans also did their share of sweeping: meticulously cleaning up their rows and seats in the stadium.
Equipped with large rubbish bags they brought along, the fans marched through the rows picking up rubbish, to leave the place just as neat as they had found it.
And not for the first time - supporters of the "Samurai Blue" have never failed to stick to their good manners.
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Christopher McKaig@Coachmckaig
https://twitter.com/Coachmckaig/status/1009177819589439489
This is my favourite moment of the World Cup so far; Japan fans picking up litter after their victory vs Columbia. The lessons in life we can take from the game. Why I support
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"It's not just part of the football culture but part of Japanese culture," Japan-based football journalist Scott McIntyre told the BBC. He is in Russia following the team and was not at all surprised by the somewhat different nature of Samurai Blue fans.
"You often hear people say that football is a reflection of culture. An important aspect of Japanese society is making sure that everything is absolutely clean and that's the case in all sporting events and certainly also in football."
More on the World Cup from the BBC:
A habit built from childhood
Senegal fans have in fact been seen doing the same at this year's World Cup - but it's the Japanese who pioneered it and are now famous for it.
It is something that comes as a surprise to many foreigners attending matches in Japan.
"They might leave a bottle or some kind of food package on the ground and then it's often the case that people get tapped on the shoulder by Japanese people indicating they should clean up or take it home but can't leave it there," Mr McIntyre says.
Image copyrightAFP
Image captionJapan fans certainly know how to celebrate
It's a habit drilled into Japanese people from early childhood.
"Cleaning up after football matches is an extension of basic behaviours that are taught in school, where the children clean their school classrooms and hallways," explains Scott North, professor of sociology at Osaka University.
"With constant reminders throughout childhood, these behaviours become habits for much of the population."
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Aulty@aulty
https://twitter.com/aulty/status/1009193594597433344
Japanese fans clean up stadium after their win vs Colombia...#Russia2018 #Inspiring #Japan #football #WorldCup #mademesmile #learnfromjapan #inspiration #JPNCOL #JPN #Fans
10:57 PM - Jun 19, 2018
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After a heated World Cup match, the stands are usually left with food waste, cups and wrappers scattered in the heat of the moment.
Japanese fans certainly had reason to go wild on Tuesday night. Their side won their opening game, beating Colombia 2-1, and securing the team's first victory against a South American side.
But after the team swept Colombia off the pitch, Japanese fans also did their share of sweeping: meticulously cleaning up their rows and seats in the stadium.
Equipped with large rubbish bags they brought along, the fans marched through the rows picking up rubbish, to leave the place just as neat as they had found it.
And not for the first time - supporters of the "Samurai Blue" have never failed to stick to their good manners.
Skip Twitter post by @Coachmckaig
"); background-position: 16px 13px; border: 0px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 4px; font-weight: initial; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; visibility: visible; display: block; position: static; transform: rotate(0deg); max-width: 100%; width: 500px; min-width: 220px;">
Christopher McKaig@Coachmckaig
https://twitter.com/Coachmckaig/status/1009177819589439489
This is my favourite moment of the World Cup so far; Japan fans picking up litter after their victory vs Columbia. The lessons in life we can take from the game. Why I support
9:55 PM - Jun 19, 2018
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End of Twitter post by @Coachmckaig
"It's not just part of the football culture but part of Japanese culture," Japan-based football journalist Scott McIntyre told the BBC. He is in Russia following the team and was not at all surprised by the somewhat different nature of Samurai Blue fans.
"You often hear people say that football is a reflection of culture. An important aspect of Japanese society is making sure that everything is absolutely clean and that's the case in all sporting events and certainly also in football."
More on the World Cup from the BBC:
- South Korea coach made players swap shirts to confuse opposition
- The man who reinvented goalkeeping
- How World Cup stars are preventing 'boredom'?
- All BBC World Cup quizzes in one place
A habit built from childhood
Senegal fans have in fact been seen doing the same at this year's World Cup - but it's the Japanese who pioneered it and are now famous for it.
It is something that comes as a surprise to many foreigners attending matches in Japan.
"They might leave a bottle or some kind of food package on the ground and then it's often the case that people get tapped on the shoulder by Japanese people indicating they should clean up or take it home but can't leave it there," Mr McIntyre says.
Image captionJapan fans certainly know how to celebrate
It's a habit drilled into Japanese people from early childhood.
"Cleaning up after football matches is an extension of basic behaviours that are taught in school, where the children clean their school classrooms and hallways," explains Scott North, professor of sociology at Osaka University.
"With constant reminders throughout childhood, these behaviours become habits for much of the population."
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Aulty@aulty
https://twitter.com/aulty/status/1009193594597433344
Japanese fans clean up stadium after their win vs Colombia...#Russia2018 #Inspiring #Japan #football #WorldCup #mademesmile #learnfromjapan #inspiration #JPNCOL #JPN #Fans
10:57 PM - Jun 19, 2018
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