Everyone has been so impressed by Japanese fans cleaning up after themselves but most probably missed this beautiful moment at the post-game (🇳🇱2 - 2🇯🇵) press conference. Toward the end after reporters were done asking questions, 🇯🇵head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, asked to speak one more time. 🗣️ “May I speak?” He turned to the Dutch reporters in the room. 🗣️ “I think there are many Dutch reporters here as well, so I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the people of the Netherlands once again.” Moriyasu explained that when he became part of the Japan national team, Japanese football still had no professional league. 🗣️ “I was trained by a Dutch coach named Hans Ooft. It wasn’t just me. Japanese coaches in general were greatly influenced by him, which has led to the development of Japanese soccer today.” He also mentioned another Dutch figure who shaped his career. 🗣️ “The legendary Dutch coach Wim Jansen served as the manager for J.League’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima and also as a coach for Urawa Reds, contributing to Japanese soccer.” 🗣️ “It’s not just those two. Many other coaches and players have contributed to raising the level of Japanese soccer, so I want to express my thanks. Thank you very much.” What a masterclass in graciousness and gratitude. Imagine after a high-stakes match, instead of basking in glory and bravado (well-deserved in my opinion), the coach took to the microphone to... thank his opponents publicly and sincerely. Japan's cultural operating system prizes harmony (wa), respect for precedent, and gratitude as a form of strength, not weakness. Japanese sports culture reflects its broader society where you'll see athletes bow to their opponents, thanking referees, and even crediting rivals or mentors. Think of sumo wrestlers, Olympic athletes, or even bullet-train staff apologizing for a 30-second delay. The Japanese have this concept of On (恩) - it is the sense of indebtedness to those who came before or helped you. It's what you'd expect from a culture that truly prizes continuity. Moriyasu was acknowledging a real debt to Dutch coaches like Hans Ooft (who coached Japan in the early 90s and helped professionalize the game) and Wim Jansen. Japanese football openly credits foreign influences - Dutch "Total Football" philosophy, German organization, Brazilian flair - while building something distinctly their own. Few nations do this with such little ego. Japan is pure class

Came across this mountaineer in the #Algarve🇵🇹.

Japan speelt gelijk, wint niet altijd en verliest soms ook. Maar één ding winnen hun fans bijna elke keer: respect. 🇯🇵🧹👏 Terwijl anderen naar de uitgang lopen, maken zij eerst de tribune schoon. Klasse blijft klasse. #Japan #NEDJAP #WK2026 #Respect #Football 🏟️🧡🤝🇯🇵

The reason Japan fans clean the stadium after each game. Respect. 🤝🇯🇵

90 minutes of football. Centuries of friendship. 🇯🇵🇳🇱 Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watching the Netherlands–Japan World Cup match together. ⚽️

A sea of orange approaches Dallas Stadium ahead of today's Netherlands vs. Japan World Cup match. ⚽ Live Updates: bit.ly/4utLNwp

Ahead of Netherlands vs Japan. #WorldCup2026 #FIFAWorldCup #NEDJPN @OnsOranje

Travel back 100 years in time with Roy Santana. As the Centre William Rappard celebrates its centenary today, join him as he jumps between 2026 and 1926 to explore a century of history at the home of the WTO.

My Netherlands visit has added new momentum to India-Netherlands ties. From elevating our relationship to a Strategic Partnership to expanding cooperation in water resources, semiconductors, innovation, defence, sustainability and mobility, we have charted an ambitious roadmap for the future. I express my gratitude to PM Rob Jetten for the warm hospitality and for personally coming to the airport to bid farewell. I am confident that the friendship between India and the Netherlands will continue to grow stronger in the years to come. @MinPres

Welkom in Nederland 🇳🇱Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially set foot on Dutch soil for a two-day visit. The official programme begins today at Palace Huis ten Bosch with a Royal Audience and lunch hosted by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. This afternoon, the focus shifts to the Catshuis for talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten, a business roundtable with CEOs, and a formal delegation dinner to discuss innovation, security, and economic cooperation. Stay tuned for updates as this important visit gets underway.

Most wins on the DP World Tour 📊

In uncertain times, you find out what truly matters. Freedom. Peace. A place to call home. The EU has delivered on that promise for over 75 years. Not perfect. But reliable. And that is the whole point. Happy Europe Day. 🇪🇺 @kajakallas

Proud and great to see a product from my daughter’s webshop, lucky-shorts.com/pages/about…, featured during @marta_kostyuk’s team photoshoot after her WTA victory in Madrid last weekend => independent.co.uk/sport/tenn… #LuckyShorts #Talisman #Tennis #Masters @szaniewska

🦍One of Sir David Attenborough's most memorable moments? This encounter with a group of playful mountain gorillas in Rwanda in 1979. Happy 100th birthday Sir David! 🎉 🎧 bbc.in/4wnTPtc

Veteran British natural historian David Attenborough — the world's most authoritative voice on the natural world — who will turn 100 on May 8, has had his likeness drawn in the sand at Morecambe Bay, northwestern England reut.rs/49z8VSx

#BritishSenseOfHumour #Diplomacy

"The Alliance that our two Nations have built over the centuries – and for which we are profoundly grateful to the American people – is truly unique." The King addresses a Joint Meeting of Congress at the United States Capitol.

That would be chic!

Happy King's Day! 👑🇳🇱 The Netherlands celebrates the birthday of His Majesty King Willem Alexander with street markets and parties around the country. Wear orange and eat a 'tompouce'. Let's celebrate!