Japanese football fans, long admired for cleaning stadiums after matches, have come under criticism at home this week. Photos of male supporters tidying up after a World Cup game sparked debate on social media, where many Japanese women accused them of double standards. They argued that men who clean public spaces often leave domestic chores to their wives.

A viral post on X showed a man picking up trash in a stadium beside another image of him relaxing at home while his wife washed dishes. The post urged Japanese men to contribute more to household work, citing OECD data showing women spend over three hours daily on unpaid chores—five times more than men. Government surveys indicate the gap is even wider among couples with young children.

While some users criticized the behavior as performative, others defended the fans, saying their actions promote cleanliness and inspire supporters from other countries, including Portugal, to follow suit.