The World Cup is a welcome reminder that people still get along

If you've spent much time reading the news lately, it can definitely feel like the world is becoming increasingly divided. Everywhere you look, there are stories about immigration backlashes, political tensions, or communities being pushed into an "us versus them" mindset. Japan has seen some of that too, with recent conversations around overtourism and the growing foreign population occasionally making it seem as though locals and foreigners are constantly at odds.

But then something comes along that reminds you the real world is often a lot friendlier than the headlines suggest.

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For me, that's been this year's FIFA World Cup. Yes, the football has been fantastic, but it's the scenes in the stands, on the streets, and across social media that have really stood out. Fans from every corner of the globe have been swapping jerseys, teaching each other chants, sharing food, taking selfies and celebrating together. Once the match is over, it doesn't seem to matter who won or lost, and everyone's simply enjoying being part of something bigger.

This Instagram reel I came across about a Japanese fan loving some Texas barbecue was one example of a heartwarming moment! You may have to click the video to view it on Instagram directly since it gets cropped a bit oddly in this blog. 

It feels like a good reminder that while governments and media narratives often focus on what separates us, everyday people usually have a much easier time finding common ground.

That's something I think many of us expats in Japan will probably recognize. Despite the occasional negative headline, most daily interactions are still filled with kindness, like my neighbors sharing their bounty of excess summer veggies with us, or still getting nihongo jouzu'd even when I mess up a sentence.

The World Cup won't solve the world's problems, of course. But it's been refreshing to see so many examples of genuine mateship between people from different countries. At a time when division can seem louder than ever, I've found it to be a welcome reminder that getting along is often the most natural thing in the world.