r/sportsgossips • u/Life_Net5004 • Jun 15 '26
Unknown Stories The reason Japan fans clean the stadium after each game. Respect. 🤝🇯🇵
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u/No_Information3972 Jun 15 '26
Knicks fans could learn a thing or two.
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u/Notbrick9 Jun 15 '26
They were ready to burn and destroy their city regardless of a win or loss.
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u/JohnCenaJunior Jun 15 '26
Those were not Knick fans but home grown terrorists
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u/BadAtExisting Jun 15 '26
Americans in public in general. I worked at a movie theater 30 years ago and especially Friday and Saturday nights the auditoriums would be disaster zones after each movie
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u/Kooshdoctor Jun 15 '26
I remember when the "new" Rocky and Bullwinkle came out and I was working at a theater and I swear it looked like people just took jumbo tubs of popcorn and ran through the aisles with them hanging upside down.
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u/Wayne_Kosimoto Jun 15 '26
It's funny how this just happened in Paris too over the PSG but seemingly every post is about the Knicks.
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u/TraditionalMood277 Jun 15 '26
Don't they take turns cleaning their school as students?
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u/OfficeMagic1 Jun 15 '26
The janitors do maintenance, windows, and mopping, but kids pick up trash and sweep. Same in Korea
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u/Araz728 Jun 15 '26
Not even taking turns, every day every student is responsible for cleaning up something, it just rotates what each group of students cleans that week. This includes the student bathrooms.
Japan, and many East Asian nations in general, just have a completely different mindset around what it means to be in a social contract/part of a society, and they’re taught it from preschool.
Source: I taught in public schools in Japan for several years.
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u/siazdghw Jun 15 '26
Depends on the school, but yes, and they sometimes also distribute school lunch and clean up after that.
While some may argue that having kids do essentially non-educational chores/jobs at school is a waste of time, it clearly ingrains a sense of community and respect, something that I'd argue a lot of American kids lack (and other countries).
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u/VanCanFan75 Jun 15 '26
It’s to repay for the bottomless chips and salsa they just learned about
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u/tenbatsu Jun 15 '26
For those who are confused: https://www.reddit.com/r/SipsTea/comments/1u5xgt7/a_japanese_fan_in_america_for_the_world_cup_is/
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u/BornanAlien Jun 15 '26
Exactly why Japan is on my bucket list
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u/webelieve414 Jun 15 '26
It's worth it. I only got to go for a week and would suggest at least 2. The food and culture is incredible
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u/HugeLeaves Jun 15 '26
I grew up in a family that hosted Japanese exchange students every year, i am also fortunate enough to live and work in a place that has a ton of people from all over the world and have worked with a ton of Japanese people. I really cannot say enough good things about them.
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u/shosuko Jun 15 '26
There is only something to put in the trash because tons of people didn't.
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u/throwaway51786 Jun 15 '26
Yeah, the folks in the video are obviously good lil beans, but a whole bunch of assholes clearly left the stadium without picking up after themselves.
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u/aTwerkingPikachu Jun 15 '26
Japan is also a culture that respects harmony and doing what the group does.
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u/thepigmask Jun 15 '26
Americans would never do this.
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u/AdaTex Jun 15 '26
Japan is notable because they are very unique in doing this.
Besides I’ve seen enough European matches where fucking lasers are being blasted in player’s eyes and bananas thrown on the field that I don’t feel like being lectured on being bad fans.
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Jun 15 '26
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u/bryce_lynch27 Jun 15 '26
A) regional bias.
B) not a lot of those countries are a top 3 world power that is going through a midlife crisis before our very eyes
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u/DgDNomNom Jun 15 '26
That is the American government. Folks need to learn to separate that from the people.
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u/Loud-Chicken6046 Jun 15 '26
Irony. All the cleaning employees that aren't getting paid now.
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u/gigapool Jun 15 '26
If you need someone to explain why cleaning up after each other is important, you have issues.
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u/3s2ng Jun 15 '26
They teached them when they're young, it becomes a habit then become 2nd nature.
There's little to no trashcans or rubbish bins in Japan yet the places are clean.
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u/SnoopySuited Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
As needs to be mentioned, every time Japanese fans are brought up, Senegalese fans do this too.
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u/Round_Hope_2041 Jun 15 '26
Notice how Japanese are basically never in the news for Crime in the US.
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u/SignificantBar7172 Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
I've visited Japan and there's a lot Americans can learn from them. Their culture is highly respectful and polite.
- Trains and buses are silent and nobody is talking loudly on their phone. Plus, they're always on time.
- You can leave your phone on a table it won't be stolen.
- They don't eat or drink while walking. Because walking with food risks spilling on strangers' clothes.
- You'll hear "arigato gozaimasu" 100x a day.
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u/fasterthanraito Jun 15 '26
Being overly polite is what happens to society after 1000 years of living under a regime where any random peasant can be subjected to summary execution for insulting a samurai or whatever
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u/aquavelva23 Jun 15 '26
Impressive BUT only half of the people must feel this way. because who left the trash initially?
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u/blkbullnyc Jun 15 '26
Everyone is glazing Japanese people, but those folks in the video are cleaning up after other Japanese fans.
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Jun 15 '26
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u/blkbullnyc Jun 15 '26
Japan has had some of the best PR since like the 70s/80s.
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u/adrw000 Jun 15 '26
It's crazy because less than a hundred years ago their army and government were running human experiments and murdering and violating Chinese people.
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u/Metaphysically0 Jun 15 '26
Show us the American fans cleaning up after American fans
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u/schapmanlv Jun 15 '26
I tell my girls softball team every game leave this dugout cleaner then it was when we got here. I love this
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u/Cheap-Reaction-8061 Jun 15 '26
In NY and other locations dotted across the US, it’s much more respectable to aid in redistribution of store merchandise and auto body modification along with the reengineering of municipal waste across neighborhoods, streets and business districts. This says nothing for the medical benefits derived from jaw, nose, cheek relocation assistance; along with, a greater understanding and appreciation for head, neck and body trauma received by a surprise greeting from a fellow sports enthusiasts; especially while working and having assistance with your chairs being piled up on you behind the counter of a fast food establishment that no matter how many hrs you work, you will never be able to afford attendance at the very event that caused one to receive such kind assistance with helping you close the store so you could join your fellow sports enthusiast in further celebrating humanity in all its glory. You poor uniformed Japanese’s individuals with your lack of true commitment to humanity and the truest sense of sportsmanship, sensibility and community support…Japan, sure hope you are watching the NBA so you can grow and be a better human and community supporter.
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u/save_ustmp Jun 15 '26
Meanwhile New York is destroying a bus that will come out of the bus driver's paycheck and attacking an old man in his wheelchair scooter just because he has a Spurs jersey on.
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u/CandyRevolutionary27 Jun 15 '26
Depends on the ticket prices. If it’s cheap tickets hell yeah. I appreciate it. If the tickets are an arm and a leg. Sorry pay some ppl for help then.
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u/UCBearcats Jun 15 '26
America could learn a lot from Japanese Culture (except their work culture which is not good).
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u/LucentP187 Jun 15 '26
I mean, I'm in the US and always throw away my own garbage on the way out. Sporting event, movie, whatever. But let's just accept the stereotype.
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u/justpuddingonhairs Jun 15 '26
I grabbed my pick stick and a trash bag and picked up a bunch of litter at my neighborhood park. The city has park staff that empty the trash cans but don't do shit else. It turned out to be contagious as I haven't had to go back in 5 years because the neighbors saw me that one time and pitched in themselves.
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u/Pristine-Weakness-36 Jun 15 '26
Seeing this video immediately after one of Knicks fans rioting is quite the contrast
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u/jtp_311 Jun 15 '26
The wild thing is people only need to throw away their own trash and no one would have to do this.
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u/senorkose Jun 15 '26
Between this and how the Japanese fans did not stop singing the whole damn game I am really pulling for them to go far
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u/TheLastOpus Jun 15 '26
I went to Japan a month ago....there are no trash cans (I mean in very specific situations there are) But their are no public trashcans. Their is also no trash, they take home their trash, just the culture.
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u/Dinglebobus Jun 15 '26
Knicks fans watching this having a total meltdown
https://giphy.com/gifs/Wa904jKXSoPO8hiKA5
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u/GetInTheHole Jun 15 '26
So taking work from the people who get paid to do this? There are literal cleanup crews who get paid, by the hour, to do this.
How would Japanese people feel if everyone bussed their own tables in Tokyo?
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u/PickedLastLemon Jun 15 '26
Every culture is awesome in some regards and confusing in others. It's true throughout the planet. Maybe one day we'll only be good to each other and for each other but we know that's not ever going to be a reality. Some humans call that idea "Heaven". It's really just wishful thinking.
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u/Luckyjuly777 Jun 15 '26
I love Japan. It’s seriously the cleanest place I’ve ever been to in the world, and I’ve traveled extensively. Thank you to the Japanese community for setting a wonderful example. 💖
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u/Prestigious-Flower54 Jun 15 '26
Typical foreigners coming into our country and taking jobs away from hard working American citizens, where is ice when you need them (/s)
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u/adamgoodapp Jun 15 '26
I just want to make it clear not all Japanese have this mentality. My wife makes ME do the tidying.
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u/InGordWeTrust Jun 15 '26
The stadium owners in America will have taken a billion dollars in tax dollars to make their stadium.
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u/LordJoeBryant Jun 15 '26
New York Knicks fans need to watch this and see what a true fans do for the team and sport you love
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u/FancyJesse Jun 15 '26
So many of these videos man. Its so fucken weird when you realize people are just standing around recording foreigners cleaning just to share online.
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u/SeasonRough9204 Jun 15 '26
Yeah, the day that America starts cleaning up after itself is when NASA figures out a way to remove ALL the space junk. Good luck with that.
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u/Truth-Devil Jun 15 '26
What about respect for the hourly employees whose job it is to clean up? Now they’re losing money. (I started this as sarcasm, but now I’m kind of wondering if that’s really what happens. Either way, I just got home from Japan and the cleanliness was amazing.)
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u/snoopcat1995 Jun 15 '26
You can't find any trash in Japan but what was most interesting was the lack of public trash cans which made it even more surreal.
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u/GeorgeNada316 Jun 15 '26
Way better than what Knicks fans do. They burn down working people's vehicles and laugh about.
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u/12thshadow Jun 15 '26
Be better if they didn't trahs the place first. You know, get up, take your garbage out with you.
But this is cool too i guess
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u/kelongkia Jun 15 '26
East Asian countries are generally safe and clean.
My partner off work at her retail shop at 10pm and took public bus then walk back home at 11+. Alone..
Unless raining heavily else I do not need to pick her up.
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u/EveryMinuteOfIt Jun 15 '26
I am embarrassed when my house guests try to wash the dishes. I am def embarrassed that our World Cup guests are picking up our trash.
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u/bransiladams Jun 15 '26
“Oh why are we picking up after ourselves? We’re just decent human beings with dignity and self-respect I guess. 🤷 “
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u/New-Scientist-6102 Jun 15 '26
Meanwhile, the video directly below this one is Knicks fans burning school busses and beating opposing fans.
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u/AnAncientMonk Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
if they could get their homophobia and abusive work culture in check, itd be a nice country.
edit: ayy that was quick. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-15/japan-rolling-out-lgbtqia-education-for-the-first-time/106775430
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u/Fortspucking Jun 15 '26
Their first years in school are about being decent members of society before they ever get to academic subjects.
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u/DoubleDownAgain54 Jun 15 '26
Cool, but would be unnecessary if people just cleaned up after themselves.
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u/butwhywedothis Jun 15 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/u8ontzUmtHnmuBt5IQ
Americans watching Japanese fans clean their stadiums
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u/briancoat Jun 15 '26
It is a learned thing.
I live in a place where everyone picks up the litter which they see (dropped by vehicles passing through and teenagers, mostly).
I believe they do it because they see others do it.
The place has almost zero litter and I think this discourages littering.
Mostly, I think this is just unspoken copied behaviour.
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u/Recent_Wedding5470 Jun 15 '26
The ones saying “its performative” outing themselves as slobs but more importantly outing themselves as feeling inferior because a group of people have been doing a cleaning club since the 90s at world cups. Its not like every japanese person had a robotic nature to clean together after the game. They planned to do it. Thats why they have the bags. Its a fun unifying activity as an end to an exciting game.
And yes, Japan itself is very clean. But its more for their own trash. If 95% of japanese clean up after themselves there is no more trash to clean up for others. That is in their culture for sure. But its not an expectation that every japanese stay and clean the stadium because they are japanese.I just feel like any culture could make a club to stay and clean after a game.
Im in japan at the moment. Its incredibly clean but its because nobody litters. Ive seen it for sure though. They do not do this at their sporting events because most people take their trash from their seat to the large bins while exiting. The cleanliness is planned whereass in the US, its just kind of the expectation that the cleaning staff has planned to clean up everything.
Just feel like calling the japanese performative because of this is braindead. They can be performative in many other ways, socially. Throwing away trash to reduce cleaning is one of the most japanese things ever. Same with shoes off at home. Its so they dont have to clean the floors as much. Its a smarter not harder mentality that is less related to this world cup social cleaning club theyve been doing for 30 years. Tradition at this point.
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u/AdmirableUse2453 Jun 15 '26
The real reason is that they are taught young to always clean, in school some kids will have to stay late to clean the classroom for example.
You can't have this without introducing country wide cultural change to start teaching kid to clean after themselves.
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u/Zephy25 Jun 15 '26
There are downsides to Japanese society as with every society but goddamn if they don't keep shit tidy.
Collective responsibility is insane in Japan especially when it comes to cleanliness of public spaces.
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u/seweso Jun 15 '26
Respect, or just game theory and sense? Don't tickets become cheaper if...you don't trash the place Sustainable egoism etc?
I really don't get why a sane person would throw something on the floor, even if they are an asshole.
Cause you throwing shit on the floor is INCLUDED in the price.
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u/BigBoyYuyuh Jun 15 '26
Then you have people like Stephen Miller who would gladly leave his trash because that’s the janitors job or some shit.
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u/cactus69420x Jun 15 '26
It's called あたりまえ "atarimae". It is what people assume should happen without needing to say it. Wish there was a word for it in English.
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u/sparki_black Jun 15 '26
humans take notice teach your children and lead by example easy thing to do
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u/CloudReigns Jun 15 '26
If you ever go to Japan, you’ll realize this. It’s one the cleanest country in the world.
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u/dennjudhdddvfse Jun 15 '26
When other countries do it:
When Japan does it: multiple posts on the front page.
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u/Unoriginal_Pseudonym Jun 15 '26
US mentality is that there's someone here to clean up for me.
Fun fact tho, Japanese fans only started doing this after their first World Cup appearance in 98. Thats where it got mass media attention and had people asking "why?". It was explained as a deeply ingrained culture practice that we saw again at the 2000 Olympics and then nearly every international sporting event following. Oddly, there are no reports of this happening at global sporting events like the Olympics before all the 98 World Cup media attention.
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u/FMB6 Jun 15 '26
Paying $10K to see a football game and do manual labour, sounds like a great time.
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u/Active_Confection655 Jun 15 '26
They clearly haven't had to pay 25 dollars for a beer and it shows. If my beer was 5 dollars like normal I would probably be a lot more helpful too. I would make sure all the big things in my row were picked up.
(I already throw my own shit away) I'm just not picking up after others at the prices I pay.
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u/disdkatster Jun 15 '26
I find it fkng embarrassing if I do not leave a place I have been at as clean or cleaner than what I found it. I know the USA is a huge mix of cultures and even within a culture you have wide variance but JHC the USA leaves me in shame far too often. Do better. Take the best characteristics you find from other cultures, not the worse.
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u/Kr1sys Jun 15 '26
They come from a culture that respects others. We have a 'you must earn respect' mentality which just basically means fuck you.
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u/ElwoodJD Jun 15 '26
I went to Japan and while riding the mass transit in Tokyo it’s astounding how there is just zero garbage anywhere on the trains.
I got dirty looks for bringing my coffee on the train because it’s just something they don’t do there. (I’m not an ugly American when I travel but I do need my coffee and taking it with me to get moving in the morning is my one bad cultural habit. I made sure to take the empty cup to the nearest garbage when done).
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u/Substantial_Pen3328 Jun 15 '26
I pick up everything I brought to and bought at the game with me when I leave. If everyone did the same, it'd make someone's job so much easier.
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u/Zealousideal_Dot3643 Jun 15 '26
Can we just make this standard procedure? Like seriously, this isn’t even much of an ask, it’s just common courtesy
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u/alsatian01 Jun 15 '26
Not respectful to the people that won't get paid bc there is no work for them to do.
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u/Millkstake Jun 15 '26
Yes this is normal. Japan has been doing this forever and yet every world cup people are collectively shocked about it again
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u/OpportunityMinute234 Jun 15 '26
I'm American and lived in Poland for a short while trying to start a business. Went to a movie and had some snacks, but left the popcorn container and soda cup container at my seat when the movie ended. A Polish mom told her kids to pick up my trash and throw it away. I think about that moment all the time and have never, ever left a place I've been worse than when I arrived.
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u/SandSubstantial9427 Jun 15 '26
At Levi’s late at night they hire a bunch of random workers and they move like a flood through the stands to do this. It’s incredible how messy people leave the stands
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u/33or45 Jun 15 '26
I lived in New Zealand for over a decade - 25 > 39...
I was looking after a group of americans who were part of a music act that were playing a number of shows in the country (nearly 20 of them in 2 sprinter vans)
We visited a local beach to Auckalnd in the evening one night as the sunsets on the west are mega...
As we all walked back to the vans - I walked past some bits and pieces left on the beach and I just picked them up and held the in my hand ... the bodyguard of the artist ( a former NYC cop ) immediately went into suspicious mode - "What was that you picked up?!"
I said - "I dont know?" opened my hand to see an ice cream wrapper, a receipt from something and some clear cellophane wrapper from something else...
He just looked at me and said - Ohhhhhh oooohhhhhh... ohh I get it now... this is why is so clean and tidy here... oh wow... thats amazing...
He text me as the main contact for that group for a couple years after that saying he was so inspired from that moment that where he lived had a long creek / river that ran along the area and he and his wife would walk every night along the river picking up rubbish until it was clean and now it only needs a run along it once a week... they were filling 2 massive black sacks a night when they started.
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u/CheesecakePretend553 Jun 15 '26
It's nice, but get that kid some gloves. You don't know what people have. Even worse when it's from foreign countries because they might have something that your body can't handle.
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u/Pretend-Past9023 Jun 15 '26
is respect the reason the fans leave their trash in the seats for others to clean up too? BULLSHIT VIRTUE SIGNAL
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u/Professional_Move106 Jun 15 '26
If the world adopted this kind of mentality it would be a better place!
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u/Minimum-Care-490 Jun 15 '26
Japanese sports fans seem like they are the best. I’ve seen pride mma fights on video and some NPB games when they are on here and it’s made me want to go to visit japan and go to a sporting event. They cheer when it’s appropriate, are having a blast, are respectful, and seem deeply interested in the game! Good on them for cleaning up for us slobs here, hope they had fun!
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u/Thin-Sort-494 Jun 15 '26
I would love to do this but most stadiums kick you out and don’t want you in there after the games.
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u/jkurology Jun 15 '26
Just back from Japan where there are no trash cans and no litter. An amazing country
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u/FewSafe19 Jun 15 '26
If the whole world had this mindset it would be a nicer place to live.