World Cup Brazil! They came in large numbers to cheer their national team. It was their first game and together with their soccer players, they brought their high hopes for their team to win. Their team lost, however. What they did next made the Japanese emerge as the winners in the eyes of the world.
Before leaving their seats where they loudly cheered for their team, silently, quietly, the Japanese fans picked up whatever trash they may have made during the game. Before they left their cheering area, the Japanese made sure they left their seats clean and ready for the next batch of spectators!
You must already have read the news that went viral: " the Japanese fans in attendance at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil still made time after the final whistle to clean up after themselves. As the stadium emptied, some Blue Samurai supporters walked up and down the aisles filling trash bags. Though this is a customary practice at Japanese sporting events that has been carried over to previous World Cups, it's still something most fans from other parts of the world wouldn't even consider doing."
Wow, that quiet, simple gesture on their part earned for the Japanese people the loud acclaim and applause of appreciation throughout the world! They may have lost their very first game but their simple gesture of picking up their own trash made the Japanese winners in the eyes of the world!
Imperfect as the rest of the people in the world, the Japanese, however, continue to astound the world with their quiet yet dignified practice as a people.
Undeterred by their difficult environment, the Japanese has shown the world how to overcome obstacles by emerging as a global economic power. A very tiny archipelago with limited resources, the Japanese has since moved on to inspire the world to transform challenges into strengths.
Humbled and reduced to rubble in the last war, the Japanese moved beyond the past to join the rest of the world pursue and cherish peace.
Wiped out by a very destructive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, the world witnessed the quiet dignity of the disciplined Japanese lining up for whatever ration/assistance shared with them, with some of them giving up their precious place and share in the long queue for others they considered were needier than themselves.
Who can forget the news about accused Japanese officials who quit or even commit suicide as their way of asking forgiveness from the public they have failed to sincerely serve? And the Japanese executives who decline their bonuses or salary increases which they share with their employees? Then, there are the executives who will not hesitate to clean and wash their company car and premises like all else in their company?
One sees the dignity of labor among the Japanese who work in train stations, in offices, elsewhere. Train station ticket inspectors take the broom and dustpan and sweep and clean their work area even if this is not part of their work description. Their assigned area is their area of responsibility and however they can bring out the best where they are, the Japanese will do their share, quietly, silently without expecting any reward but that they have done their part as best they can.
For sure, the Japanese fans may have been so surprised at the world acclaim for their simple yet loud message of caring for the world through their simple act of picking up their trash after the game. It is also refreshing for the world to be reminded, now and then, about simple, humble gestures that translate into precious acts of values that should be remembered and practiced more often.
***
Email: cherryb_thefreeman@yahoo.com.