Overview
- Supporters stayed after Japan’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Sunday, June 14, and methodically collected litter from their section at AT&T Stadium before leaving.
- Fans repurposed the large blue plastic bags they had waved during the match to gather bottles, food wrappers and other rubbish.
- Reporters and sociologists link the behavior to early school cleaning duties, the proverb 'tatsu tori ato wo nigosazu' and the social norm of avoiding meiwaku or causing trouble for others.
- The scenes went viral, drew praise from FIFA and major outlets, and included non-Japanese participants such as NFL quarterback Jameis Winston joining the cleanup.
- The gesture continues a pattern seen at World Cups since 1998, involves longtime volunteer organizers like Hirokazu Tsunoda and helps shape a positive international image for Japan’s fans as the team moves on to games in Mexico.