Japan’s Football Manager Celebrates Fan Commitment to Cleanliness
The manager of the Japanese national football team has lauded the team’s supporters for their dedication to cleaning stadium stands after matches, highlighting it as a cultural practice to be proud of.
During a press conference held at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico, ahead of the team’s second Group F match against Tunisia, the manager emphasized this unique aspect of Japanese culture. “I believe lots of our people know the phrase of making the place cleaner than when you arrived, and our team cleans the place before we depart (after matches) too,” he stated.
A Cultural Imperative
Reflecting on past interactions, the manager recalled an instance where he was told his actions of picking up trash might be perceived as taking away jobs. He countered this by explaining, “That’s one way of thinking, but Japanese in general have the concept of making places cleaner and I believe we’re people who don’t throw away trash here and there.” He further added that such efforts would not significantly impact employment.
“I think the Japanese are people who always help each other and cooperate,” he continued. He shared an anecdote from a recent training session in Nashville, Tennessee, where the local individual responsible for pitch maintenance joined the team in tidying up the area, embodying this Japanese mentality.
Football as a Cultural Bridge
The upcoming match between Japan and Tunisia holds particular significance as it marks the 1,000th game in World Cup history. This year also signifies the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Tunisia.
The manager expressed his hope that the sport can foster deeper connections. “It’d be great if people around the world can feel that the two countries, their people and different cultures are being connected by football,” he concluded.
