After the Japan vs Netherlands match in the FIFA World Cup North America tournament, Japanese supporters picking up trash in the stands has sparked debate on the Chinese internet. In the match held on the 15th, in the 5th minute of the second half, the Netherlands took the lead with a header from Virgil van Dijk, but in the 12th minute, Japan equalized with a middle shot from Keito Nakamura. In the 19th minute, the Netherlands took the lead again with a goal from Summerville, but in the 44th minute, a header from substitute Koki Ogawa hit Daichi Kamada's head and was sucked into the goal, equalizing again. The score remained unchanged, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw. What attracted attention was the sight of Japanese supporters in the stands after the match. The supporters spread out the blue plastic bags they used for cheering and picked up the trash left in the stands. This scene was reported by Western media and gathered praise. Furthermore, American NFL star Jameis Winston, wearing a Japan national team uniform, also joined the trash-picking effort, drawing attention. On the other hand, while Japanese supporters' trash-picking has been introduced by media and various social media accounts in China, many critical comments have been received from netizens, such as: 'Here we go again', 'Japanese people are performing abroad again', 'In Japan, after major events, venues are full of trash', 'Apparently, Japanese people don't do this in less-watched matches', 'If they didn't litter in the first place, they wouldn't need to pick it up', 'They litter it themselves and then pick it up themselves', 'A people obsessed with minor courtesies but lacking grand principles'. Also, 'Japanese people really love making videos of this and uploading them', 'They must be getting paid by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote Japan', 'Do they want to please their master (the US) so badly?', 'It's truly hypocritical', 'They pick up trash in the stands but release nuclear wastewater (treated contaminated water from the nuclear power plant) into the sea', 'If they're so clean, don't release nuclear wastewater into everyone's Pacific Ocean', 'Is it a pretense of being good? What about the nuclear wastewater?' —many harsh comments like these have also been received. Meanwhile, comments such as 'I think it's wonderful', 'Japanese supporters are the most civilized', 'It certainly deserves respect', 'Isn't it good to acknowledge and learn from good things, regardless of the country?', have been received, along with comments lamenting the weakness of their own national team, such as: 'The Chinese national team doesn't even give us a chance to pick up trash (crying)'. (Translation/Editing by Kitada)

英メディア「称賛を浴びているのはサッカーだけではない」試合後、『日本人サポーター数千人がごみ拾い』報じる（中日スポーツ） https://t.co/xSdhc3P0Dy

— よっしー5150 (@jjhuQPWjakk7cPr) June 15, 2026

Japan fans clean up after the game with the help of @Jaboowins! pic.twitter.com/JufyGy3Yn2

— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) June 14, 2026