World Cup: Fans Cleaning Trash Criticized as Hypocritical! Sora Aoi Clashes with 'Little Pink' Netizens

A debate has erupted online after some Chinese netizens criticized Japanese football fans for cleaning up trash in the stands following a World Cup match. The fans' act of tidiness, which was praised by FIFA's official X account for demonstrating "perfect etiquette," was met with accusations of "搶清潔工的工作" (stealing the work of cleaners) by some.

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Why are Japanese people being scolded for picking up trash?

Former Japanese adult film star Sora Aoi, a known football enthusiast, weighed in on the controversy. Initially expressing confusion with a post asking, "Why are Japanese people being scolded for picking up trash?" she later shared a critical comment from a Chinese netizen. The comment read, "Although I am not Japanese, the performance of picking up trash is really disgusting, and it also robs the cleaners of their jobs."

Aoi responded with a firm yet gentle rebuttal in both Chinese and Japanese. She explained that the Japanese perspective on this matter is likely different and that it represents a cultural or value-based divergence. "Japanese people (of course, it cannot be generalized) seem to not think this way about this matter," Aoi stated. "This is more like a cultural difference, or a difference in values. I think you grew up in a cultural or value environment where you would find such things strange and difficult to accept. Therefore, I think you probably have difficulty understanding this feeling."

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Although I am not Japanese, the performance of picking up trash is really disgusting, and it also robs the cleaners of their jobs.

Her statement suggests that the act of cleaning up after oneself is viewed as a matter of personal responsibility and respect for shared spaces within Japanese culture, rather than an imposition on service workers. Aoi's intervention highlights how differing cultural norms and values can lead to misunderstandings and criticism when viewed through a different lens.

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Japanese people (of course, it cannot be generalized) seem to not think this way about this matter. This is more like a cultural difference, or a difference in values. I think you grew up in a cultural or value environment where you would find such things strange and difficult to accept. Therefore, I think you probably have difficulty understanding this feeling.