Japan fans clear trash within the stands through the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. Michael Steele/Getty Images/AFP
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said Friday he was proud that the country’s fans had forged a worldwide repute for tidying up after themselves on the World Cup–so long as it doesn’t put cleaners out of labor.
Footage went viral online after Japan supporters were seen putting their rubbish in blue plastic bags following Sunday’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in Texas.
Fans told AFP it was “Japanese culture” to go away any public place cleaner than after they arrived.
Speaking on the eve of Japan’s second group game, against Tunisia on Saturday in Mexico, Moriyasu said: “I feel that is one a part of the Japanese culture that we could be happy with on the planet.”
It extends to his squad, who left the changing room on the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium immaculate after the sport.
But Moriyasu said there was a possible downside.
“I even have met Brazilian players, Brazilian coaches and folks from different countries after which they’d all indicate something different,” he said.
“They said, by picking up people’s garbage it will be clean, but wouldn’t you be taking away the work from the cleaners?
“So I suppose that’s a method of taking a look at it.”
And while images of Japan fans cleansing up gained widespread praise abroad, back in Japan a social media post went viral complaining men rarely do the identical at home.
“Japanese men spend among the many least time on house responsibilities internationally,” read the post.
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“Please do it at home,” it added.