Recently, a video recording the moment of a Japanese fan caused a fever on social networks.
Accordingly, in the 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, Japanese fans created a lively atmosphere with blue balloon bags inflated and waved simultaneously in the stands.
When Daichi Kamada scored the equalizer in the 88th minute, a "sea" of blue bags covered the area of Japanese fans, creating one of the impressive moments of the match.
What attracted the international community's attention was the scene after the match. Instead of leaving the stadium immediately, many Japanese fans used the bags they just used to celebrate to collect and sort trash in their stands before leaving.
FIFA has posted images and videos of this action on official platforms. A female fan shared: "We do it to show respect to the players, other fans and volunteers. Being here is an honor, so we don't want to leave trash and throw it away.
According to international media, cleaning the stands has become a familiar image for Japanese fans since the 1998 World Cup.
But at the 2026 World Cup, turning cheering bags into trash bags has created a special detail, showing community awareness and a sense of responsibility that is considered a unique cultural feature of the Japanese.
Sociology professor Scott North of Osaka University once commented: "In addition to a high awareness of hygiene and recycling, cleaning after events like the World Cup is also how Japanese fans show pride in their lifestyle and share it with the rest of the world.
In addition, images of the Japanese team's dressing room after the match against the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup are spreading on social networks. This area is neatly cleaned with jerseys neatly arranged, garbage collected in bags and clean spaces.
This is not the first time the land of the rising sun team has attracted attention with this action. From the 2018 to 2022 World Cup, the Japanese team has been mentioned many times by international media thanks to their habit of cleaning the dressing room before leaving the field.
