Japanese Volleyball Star Rui Takahashi Announces He Is Gay

On Tuesday, 26-year-old Rui Takahashi, an outside hitter for the Suntory Sunbirds Osaka in Japan’s top-tier SV League, posted a black-and-white portrait on social media and disclosed that he is gay. In his statement he described a lifelong fear of confronting “a certain side of myself” and said he had previously denied his identity. He credited conversations with his older brother, national-team star Ran Takahashi, for giving him the confidence to speak openly.

Japan Times

Openly LGBTQ+ athletes remain exceedingly rare in Japan’s professional team sports. Women’s soccer player Shiho Shimoyamada came out in 2019, and transgender forward Kumi Yokoyama publicly identified as a man after the 2023 Women’s World Cup. In June 2021 the Japanese Olympic Committee appointed transgender former fencer Fumino Sugiyama to its board, marking one of the few high-profile inclusions. Takahashi’s announcement therefore adds to a small but growing list of athletes challenging a traditionally conservative sporting culture.

Japan Times

Takahashi’s disclosure coincides with a pivotal moment for marriage equality in Japan. In March 2026 the Supreme Court agreed to hear six consolidated lawsuits contesting the civil code’s definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. Lower courts in Nagoya and Osaka have already ruled the ban unconstitutional, citing violations of Article 24 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of marriage and equal rights.

Japanese volleyball player Rui Takahashi comes out as gay ahead of landmark equality ruling

Ran Takahashi, while not issuing a formal press release, was noted as the “trigger” that helped his brother accept himself. No government or league officials have issued formal comments as of the time of reporting.

Japan Times

• “That is the fact that I am gay and that I am one of the sexual minorities.” — Rui Takahashi

Japan Times