Japan is in the news again after their supporters cleaned up the stadium in Texas following the national team's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their World Cup 2026 opener.
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Japan is in the news again for its impressive show, both on and off the field. Following the national team's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their World Cup 2026 opener in Texas on Sunday, their supporters stayed behind to ensure the stadium was clean, picking up litter left behind by spectators. This act has once again gone viral online, but it is not something new. It's déjà vu all over again. Japanese football fans did it at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, after their team's heartbreaking loss to Belgium in the quarter-finals. They did so again at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, following the country's win over Germany at the Khalifa International Stadium. They were even spotted collecting waste in the stands during matches their team wasn't involved in. Their actions are not determined by the outcome of a match, who is playing, or where it is played. Their sense of cleanliness is not confined to their homes and immediate surroundings; they take it everywhere they go, although it may not always be publicly demonstrated. For them, it is simply the natural thing to do, a habit they learn early in life, starting from primary school, where they are required to clean their classrooms daily and are taught to keep their surroundings clean.
Much has been said about the need to emulate the Japanese sense of cleanliness but, in the end, it’s much ado about nothing, as most societies fail to practise it in public spaces and their surroundings as much as they do in their homes. Last year, the Konyak Students' Union Kohima received praise for a 'Japan-like' clean-up of the Indira Gandhi Stadium during the Dr. T Ao Trophy. However, it turned out to be an isolated incident, much like other cleanliness drives. For instance, earlier this month, spectators at the exhibition match between Aizawl FC (Mizoram) and the Nagaland United Sports Club (NUSC) reportedly left the stands of Chümoukedima Football Stadium strewn with rubbish, including empty liquor and beer bottles, sparking online debate. Dimapur's streets further exemplify the neglect and inconsistency in sanitation, with waste and plastic items littering the area, particularly after festivals or major events. Such scenes are not just an eyesore; they pose significant environmental hazards, public health concerns, and contribute to flooding by choking drains. This recurring menace also exposes the disparity in cleanliness standards and underscores the urgent need to extend our commitment to cleanliness beyond our homes. Mawlynnong in Meghalaya, Asia's cleanest village, offers a compelling model and a source of inspiration. We can adopt their sanitation practices—sustainable waste management, a zero-litter policy and active community involvement—and make cleanliness a way of life.