Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Japanese football fans once again caught the attention of social media with their tradition by cleaning up trash at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK) after the World Cup Qualifier match between Indonesia and Japan on Friday, November 15, 2024. This Japanese supporter act gained praise and admiration online, particularly from Indonesian supporter.
Following their team’s victory, the “Samurai Blue” supporters stayed behind, gathering trash from the stands and neatly placing it in blue plastic bags. These bags were then collected at a designated spot near the stadium’s exit.
Seeing this, many Indonesian fans expressed respect for the tradition, with some suggesting that Indonesian supporters could adopt and implement similar practices.
This act of cleanliness and tradition is not a first for Japanese fans, who have become known for tidying up stadiums after games. Their behavior was first highlighted during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. According to The Independent, after Japan lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast, fans chose to pick up litter scattered around Arena Pernambuco instead of reacting negatively to their team’s defeat.
The tradition continued at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where Japanese supporters cleaned up the stands despite their team’s heartbreaking loss to Belgium in the Round of 16. This practice also garnered admiration from FIFA during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It’s not just the fans who display this sense of responsibility; Japanese players are known for their tidiness too. After their 2-1 win over Germany in the 2022 World Cup, the team left their locker room spotless, with neatly folded towels and no traces of trash. They also left behind 11 origami cranes, each representing a player on the team, along with a message of gratitude written in both Japanese and Arabic.
A Tradition Rooted in Japanese Culture
For many in Japan, cleaning up after oneself is second nature, a habit instilled from an early age. Children are taught the importance of cleanliness from their first days in elementary school, where cleaning is part of the daily routine. This practice continues throughout 12 years of education, from elementary to high school, where students are responsible for keeping their classrooms and school environments clean.
Japanese culture even has a proverb that captures this ethos: “tatsu tori ato wo nigosazu,” which translates to “a bird does not foul its nest.” The saying emphasizes leaving places as clean as, if not cleaner than, they were found.
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The discipline around cleanliness is not a recent phenomenon in Japan. According to Giles Milton’s biography of William Adams, the first Englishman to set foot in Japan in the 1600s, Japanese nobles at the time were already known for their cleanliness.
Influence of Shinto and Buddhist Beliefs
Japan’s commitment to cleanliness is deeply rooted in its religious traditions, particularly Shintoism and Buddhism. In Shinto beliefs, cleanliness is a fundamental principle, seen as an expression of piety. The concept of “kegare” in Shinto refers to impurity or defilement, which can arise from things like death, illness, or anything deemed unpleasant.
Shinto believed “If someone becomes impure due to kegare, it could harm the community.” That’s why it’s crucial to practice cleanliness, it purifies us and helps prevent disasters. This became one reason why Japan is such a clean country.
Similarly, Buddhism emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clean environment, viewing it as a reflection of one’s inner purity and a way to cultivate mindfulness.
As Japan’s fans and players continue to showcase their culture of respect and cleanliness on the global stage, they not only win admiration but also set an example of how sportsmanship extends beyond the pitch.
(Raidi/Agung)
