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Japan Fans Clean Up Stadium After World Cup Elimination

The Japanese have touched spectators around the world by cleaning up their trash after every match at the World Cup.
Image: A Japan fan helps collect litter from the stadium
A Japan fan helps collect litter from the stadium after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group C match between Japan and Colombia at Arena Pantanal on June 24, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil.Christopher Lee / Getty Images

Forget banners. Many Japanese fans were waving bright blue garbage bags at the group stage finale against Colombia.

The Japanese have touched spectators around the world by cleaning up their trash after every match at the World Cup. After their 0-0 draw against Greece last week, fans of the Blue Samurai shrugged off disappointment and cleaned up after themselves inside the stadium following the final whistle. It's a class act that has its roots in Japan's values of being respectful of hosts and protecting the environment.

Japan's 1-4 loss to Colombia on Tuesday eliminated the team from the World Cup.

Image: A Japan fan helps collect litter from the stadium after the Japan and Colombia match on Tuesday.
A Japan fan helps collect litter from the stadium after the Japan and Colombia match on Tuesday.Adam Pretty / Getty Images

— The Associated Press