Media from around the globe reported that Japanese supporters had cleaned up the stadium after a match during the 2018 Soccer World Cup in Russia. The Russian organizing committee greatly praised the clean-up done by Japanese supporters and said that it had captured the hearts of the Russians.
    Japanese supporters have been cleaning up at world cup events since Japan first participated in the tournament in France in 1998. When asked about these clean-up efforts by media from another country, one of the Japanese players voiced the thoughts of the supporters with the Japanese words "you should leave a place more beautiful than when you arrived."

    Indeed, there is a Japanese proverb that says "As waterfowls move on to other places, they pass through without dirtying the water or making waves." This is a lesson that anyone leaving a location should try not to leave behind an unsightly mess. Through their clean-up efforts, the Japanese supporters bring to mind an image of the waterfowl elegantly taking off from the water’s surface.

At elementary and junior high school, students clean the school buildings themselves

    Being praised by countries around the world for cleaning up at the world cup was something that the Japanese were pleased about, but it also made them feel somewhat embarrassed. For Japanese people it is "only natural" to pick up the trash from somewhere you have been using. This idea is instilled in them from childhood when they are taught to clean up at home, and during compulsory education at elementary and junior high schools.
    At elementary and junior high schools, the buildings are cleaned by the students themselves, rather than by cleaners. The students are split into groups of several people in a so-called "cleaning roster" and they clean the school building every day, taking turns to sweep and wipe the floors.

    Children are used to cleaning with "zokin" (a cloth); a form of cleaning where you use both hands to hold down a cloth sewn out of old towels on the floor from above and then push forward like a quadruped to wipe it clean.
    Especially at elementary schools, where cleaning is often done with "zokin", they even hold races like a 100 meter track and field running event where the children compete to see how fast they can wipe the floor clean. The students make friends by doing the cleaning together and the group activity teaches them discipline and unity.

Turning trash collection into a sporting competitions

    In 2008, Japan added a sporting element to clean-up operations that were community service activities, converting them into "competitions."
    The competitions are called "Spo-Gomi Contests (Sport-Gomi Contest)" from the word "Sports" and the Japanese word "gomi" (meaning "trash") and teams of 3-5 people compete to pick up the most rubbish of the best quality in a designated area within a designated space of time. In line with the principle of sportsmanship, those taking part need to respect the players in other teams, the rules and the referee. There are safety rules set up, including prohibitions on picking up trash from the roads and railway tracks; on running; and on entering private homes etc. Every week there is a Spo-Gomi Contest held somewhere in Japan, usually at the weekend or on a national holiday, and recently around 100 of these contests are held each year.

    The participants wear various clothes from running-style sports wear and jogging shoes to jeans and shirts etc.
    What they have in common are the tough working gloves knitted from thick, white cotton thread. Using these on their hands, the participants can pick up the trash without feeling repulsed. In addition, participants use "tongs" that allow them to pick up small bits of trash like cigarette butts from a standing position, as well as plastic bags to put the trash into.
    The contests are organized by groups created by local government agencies and companies in the area, as well as groups of university students and the participants include people who work in local companies; students from elementary, junior high and high schools; university students; local residents; and groups of friends, etc.
    When it is time to start, all the participants give a big cheer, saying "Picking up the trash is a sport!" and the competition begins. As the close of the competition approaches, the trash-collecting athletes come back to the meeting point one after the other, bringing lots of trash.

    At a contest held in Tokyo's Minato District on October 13, 2018, 63 people took part in 14 teams and they managed to collect a total 135.25 kg of trash. They collected a variety of trash such as cigarette butts, PET plastic bottles, and plastic umbrellas, etc.
    The trash is collected separately according to the rules and rankings are decided by the total points, which are awarded in line with each different type of trash. Cigarette butts score the highest points. The winning team receives a certificate or a trophy, and in some contests the team is awarded a prize donated by the sponsor. Participants join forces in a team and enjoy a feeling of accomplishment and exhilaration by confronting the same goals. The more exciting the contest, the more trash disappears from the streets.

Clean-up activities taking place throughout Japan

    Across Japan there are community groups made up of local residents that hold regular clean-up activities that residents participate in. Although it is not clear how long these activities have been being carried out, we can say that they are volunteer operations unique to Japan. Community clean- ups also allow residents to get together and play a role in promoting friendship.
    Recently there has also been an increase in the number of companies getting involved with clean- up activities. In Chuo District, home to Tokyo's famous shopping area of Ginza, they are recruiting groups to conduct clean-ups under the banner of "Street Corner Clean-up Day". As of October 2018, 185 companies and local community groups had registered and were carrying out operations.
    The circle of clean-up activities has been expanding more and more in recent years. Clean, trash- free towns also provide people with peace of mind in terms of crime prevention. There will always be plenty of Japanese people who hope to spread cool activities like this all over the globe and live in a peaceful world.