Japan are unlikely to win the World Cup but their fans are proving champions off the pitch in Russia with their exemplary behaviour, even cleaning up after themselves at matches.
Their conduct is a healthy antidote to scenes of violence that have marred some major international football tournaments down the years, though this World Cup has been free so far of disorder.
Footage of Japanese supporters tidying up after a game -- cue amazed reaction from fans of other countries -- has become a staple of recent World Cups.
Following their shock 2-1 win over Colombia on Tuesday -- the first time an Asian team had beaten a South American one at a World Cup -- Japanese fans gathered up their rubbish and stuffed it inside blue plastic bin bags.
The blue is no coincidence -- it is the colour of the national side's shirts.
Their behaviour appeared to inspire Colombian and Senegalese fans to follow suit.
This could be the tidiest World Cup in history.
Such is the interest the Japanese fans' behaviour has generated, a journalist from The Sun tabloid newspaper in Britain asked defender Maya Yoshida about it on the eve of Sunday's clash with Senegal in Yekaterinburg.
"Of course it is not just the national team who represent Japan, but the fans in Russia also, so to be praised by the whole world, we are very proud of this," Yoshida said.
- Nice swear words -
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And what about abusing opposing teams or players, or criticising their own side if they lose? "I don't, but some Japanese do shout and swear. But they use very kind swear words and don't discriminate or make threats."
- 'Not strong' -
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"Japanese are not strong."
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