Every FIFA World Cup produces unforgettable moments. From memorable goals to dramatic upsets, breakout stars and moments that become part of football folklore. We have seen all these and more – how Iran has been treated poorly, the somali referee being denied a visa, Senegal being “rigged” out of their match and many more incidents that are stories for another day.
It is not often however, when a team captures the world’s admiration for reasons that have little to do with what happens on the pitch. Japan has once again become one of those teams.
While football fans have celebrated the skill and determination of the Japanese national team (at one point, it was among the favourites to lift this world cup) it is the conduct of their supporters and the spirit with which they have handled both victory and defeat that has left a lasting impression. Images of Japanese fans carrying plastic bags into stadiums to collect litter after matches have circulated around the world, reminding each and everyone of us that respect for shared spaces should be more than just a slogan. Equally touching were scenes at the airport following Japan’s elimination, where supporters welcomed the players home with applause and heartfelt words of appreciation, shouting, “Thank you for all your hard work.”
In an era when sporting events are often overshadowed by online abuse, violence and hostility, Japan has demonstrated that national pride does not have to be aggressive or destructive. Instead, it can be expressed through humility and gratitude – even consideration for others. Even though Japan will not lift football’s biggest trophy this year, it has already won the respect of people across the globe.
Respect extends beyond the ninety minutes
One of the most recognizable traditions associated with Japanese football supporters is their willingness to clean the stadium after matches. Long after the final whistle has blown and most spectators have made their way home, groups of Japanese fans remain behind, collecting bottles, food wrappers, cups and other litter into their (now signature) blue plastic bags they brought with them.
What makes this gesture remarkable is not simply the act itself but the mindset behind it. These fans are not cleaning because they are employed to do so or because tournament organizers demand it. They are doing it because they believe that public spaces should be left in the same if not better condition than they found them.
This habit reflects values that are deeply rooted in Japanese society. From an early age, many children in Japan participate in cleaning their classrooms and school grounds, learning that caring for shared environments is everyone’s responsibility rather than someone else’s job. By the time they become adults, these lessons have become second nature.
It is difficult not to wonder how different our communities might look if this same attitude became more widespread. Imagine stadiums, concert venues, beaches, parks and even city streets where people took personal responsibility for the spaces as opposed to just assuming that someone else would clean up after them.
Grace in defeat speaks louder than celebration in victory
Winning naturally brings joy, but in losing is where we get to see a person’s true character. Japan’s elimination from the tournament was undoubtedly heartbreaking for players and supporters alike. After months of preparation and years of sacrifice, their World Cup journey came to an end earlier than they had hoped.
Yet instead of allowing disappointment to turn into bitterness, many supporters chose a different response. They gathered at the airport to welcome the team home, applauding the players and expressing gratitude for their efforts. They neither demanded explanations, nor did they search for someone to blame (South Korea! How many times have I called you???)
Those simple words Thank you for all your hard work that the fans kept shouting carried immense meaning. They recognized that success cannot always be measured solely by the final score. Athletes devote years of their lives to reaching the highest level of competition, and while fans naturally hope for victory, they can also appreciate dedication even when the desired result is not achieved.
In a world where social media often amplifies outrage more quickly than appreciation, Japan offered a timely reminder that kindness costs nothing yet leaves a lasting impact.
Contrast to when reports emerged of the hostile reaction faced by South Korea’s national team following its World Cup campaign. Media reports described severe public backlash directed at players and especially head coach Hong Myung-bo, with allegations of threats that reportedly extended to family members. Such hostility became so intense that security concerns dominated discussions surrounding the team’s return home.
Regardless of nationality or sporting allegiance, no missed opportunity on the football field should ever result in threats or intimidation. Players are professionals, but they are also human beings with families, emotions and lives beyond the game. Passion for sport should never become an excuse to dehumanize those who dedicate themselves to representing their country.
Japan demonstrated that supporters can demand excellence while still treating athletes with dignity. That balance is something every sporting culture should strive to achieve.
I am not, by any means, trying to paint Japan as perfect. Far from it. Like every society, it faces its own social, economic and cultural challenges. Admiring certain aspects of Japanese culture does not require pretending that the country does not have it’s flaws.
However, acknowledging imperfections should not prevent us from recognizing virtues worth emulating. The willingness to care for public spaces, the ability to lose with grace, the discipline to act responsibly without supervision, and the compassion to thank those who have fallen short of expectations are qualities that transcend borders.
These are values that any nation, community, or individual can choose to embrace.
