Our heart is clean so the stands must be clean. This means the team reaches its destiny.
Japanese fan following Japan’s dramatic 2-1 win over Germany 2022 World Cup
The Japanese are taught that leaving things cleaner than the way you found it is ‘atarimae.’
Atarimae – 当たり前
It is an expression of gratitude. It is a way for Japanese fans to demonstrate pride in their way of life and share it with the rest of the world. The players changing room is no different.
Tatsu tori ato wo nigosazu – the bird taking flight doesn’t muddy it’s tracks.
When you leave a place, don’t leave it a mess.
Of course, their actions are all over the news, all over the internet, but it is worth noting that it was no different back in 2018 in Russia either. However, this is where this demonstration of culture becomes fuel for a school assembly when the Japanese fan behaviour is contagious, is catching. Ghana, and now Moroccan fans are cleaning up their stands.
There are echoes of James Kerr’s book Legacy, which explores the lessons of leadership from the New Zealand All Blacks, former fly-half Andrew Mehrtens talks about the ritual of ‘sweeping the sheds’ after a game.
It’s an example of personal discipline, it’s not expecting somebody else to do your job for you,” he says.
“It teaches you not to expect things to be handed to you. If you have personal discipline in your life, then you are going to be more disciplined on the field.”
Andrew Mehrtens