Japanese football fans have put other supporters to shame by staying behind to clean up following a World Cup game their country wasn't even playing in.
On Sunday (November 20), the tournament's opening fixture pitted host nation Qatar against Ecuador. Qatar would lose the match 2-0, becoming the first host in the tournament's history to lose their opening game.
After the 90-minute game, many fans of both national teams were seen getting up from their seats, flocking toward the stadium exit, and walking over all the trash on the floor.
However, a video posted online showed many admirable Japanese fans - dressed in their national colors - staying behind to pick up the empty bottles and food wrapping left in the stands.
Check out the video below:The heartwarming act was filmed and posted by influencer Omar Farooq from Bahrain on Instagram, who said, "[translated] someone convince me that this is normal" as he watched the supporters working away when everyone else had left.
"The Japanese fans decided to clean the stadium," he added in shock. "It’s not even their match!"
The camera then pans around to show more fans dotted around the stadium all lending a helping hand.
"When I asked them, 'Why are you cleaning something not related to you?' The answer was, 'Japanese never leave rubbish behind us. We respect the place.'"
Many people on the social media platform took to the comment section to praise the sport goers for their respectful etiquette.
One user applauded: "Wow !! This is so inspiring so much respect and I hope everyone gets inspired by this. Thank you for sharing such beautiful acts"
Another user chimed in and enthusiastically remarked: "Great culture .. great people !!"
Meanwhile, a Japanese user shared an insight into their culture and wrote: "This is a Japanese proverb 立つ鳥跡を濁さず (tatsu tori atowo nigosazu ) it means it is simply common courtesy to clean up after yourself, a bird does not foul the nest it is about to leave, on leaving a place one should see that all is in good order.
"Thank you for sharing this video! I’m so happy as a Japanese."
Lastly, a fourth user suggested: "That's how it should be, you went to a place and it was clean then you leave it dirty, what a shame ..and the Japanese People volunteer to clean it...Qatar should announce to all the spectators not to leave their rubbish behind."
The country has gained a reputation for similar kindhearted gestures at previous international tournaments that didn't go unnoticed.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Japanese fans garnered similar affection for their thoughtful actions after they won a game against Columbia.
The supporters were seen celebrating as they filtered through the aisles of the stadium with massive trash bags to pick up any discarded junk.
Now, four years on, they are still carrying on the graceful act.