
Every country has their fair share of crazy fans dressed in garb ranging from carrot headdresses to scarves with the power of 1000% elephants, but the Japanese supporters are by far our all-around favorite. During their first match against Côte d’Ivoire last Saturday, they showed up with plenty of white paint on their faces and bowling pins on their heads. With Japan’s second match currently underway, we couldn’t help but notice a strange new addition to the cheer gear of Samurai Blue supporters; an item we’ve all seen before being used for its intended purpose.
We doubt you forgot about the costumes Japanese fans were wearing last Saturday, but just in case…
But despite the attention they’ve received due to their choice in attire, Samurai Blue supporters in Brazil are perhaps best known for their actions after the game. Despite a disappointing loss on Saturday, Japanese fans were spotted cleaning up after themselves before going home, shoving any refuse in blue garbage bags they thought ahead to bring along. Although they received a small amount of criticism, their impeccable manners were applauded by news sources the world over.
And now, at today’s match against Greece, those same fans are waving around blue garbage bags as they cheer on their boys in blue.
We can’t help but think this might be a small nod to all the press they received just a few days earlier.
https://twitter.com/WorIdCupProbs/statuses/478250315657920513
Whether intentional or not (who knows, fans may have simply brought along too many trash bags and not enough pom-poms), we can’t get enough of Japan’s soccer fans and their wild costumes, enthusiastic cheering, and astoundingly courteous post-game actions.

YouTube
Otsukare-sama deshita: A look back at Team Japan’s time at the World Cup
Samurai Blue fans putting their best foot forward with cute girls in uniform!【Photos】
Japanese soccer fans remember their manners in Brazil, clean up before going home
Kyoto yakiniku restaurants offer up blue meat and drinks for Japan’s World Cup fever
World Cup players swap shorts after match
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Luxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japanese soccer fans’ awesome manners are spreading to another country at World Cup
Japanese soccer fans celebrate the World Cup with Samurai Blue curry
Japan’s Samurai Blue soccer team sends autographed jerseys to survivors of Thai cave ordeal
“The beer is my friend”: Watch the World Cup in style at this Captain Tsubasa Cafe
Now even countries that aren’t playing against Japan are cleaning their stadiums at the World Cup
German fans dance across Shibuya scramble in post-World Cup match celebration
How do you explain Japan’s historic World Cup win against Germany to the common man?
A hilarious compilation of 12 problems people encounter while watching the World Cup
Rugby World Cup fans perform lineout on floor of a Japanese train