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Volleyball Player Rui Takahashi Publicly Comes Out as Gay
Rui Takahashi, 26, a professional volleyball player for Suntory Sunbirds, publicly announced on September 29 that he is gay and a sexual minority. He credited conversations with his younger brother Ai, also a professional player, for helping him accept his identity during their approximately two years playing together on the same team.
Quick Facts
- Publicly announced sexual identity as gay
- Identified as sexual minority (セクシュアルマイノリティ)
- Credited brother with helping achieve self-acceptance
- Shared personal struggle with identity since childhood
- Expressed gratitude to family, teammates, and supporters





Rui Takahashi, 26, a professional volleyball player for Suntory Sunbirds in Japan's SV League, publicly announced on September 29 that he is gay and identifies as a sexual minority. In an Instagram post, Takahashi described struggling since childhood with accepting his sexual identity, initially denying this aspect of himself before reaching self-acceptance.
Takahashi credited his younger brother Ai—also a professional volleyball player and member of Japan's national team—as instrumental in his journey. The brothers played together on Suntory for approximately two years, an experience Takahashi described as pivotal. "Speaking with Ai became the trigger for me to recognize myself for the first time," Takahashi wrote. He explained that articulating his feelings helped him gradually accept himself, thinking "it's okay to be myself as I am."
In his statement, Takahashi expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, coaching staff, and supporters for their backing throughout his self-discovery. He emphasized his commitment to continuing his professional volleyball career, noting that this remains unchanged by his public disclosure. Takahashi also addressed others struggling with self-acceptance, saying he hopes his openness might serve as encouragement or a turning point for those unable to accept themselves.
Takahashi began playing volleyball in elementary school, was inspired by former national team player Megumi Kurihara, and progressed through Kyoto's Higashiyama High School and Nihon University, where he contributed to a rare top-three finish at the All-Japan University Championship. His announcement comes as the new volleyball season begins.
Topics
Why This Matters
Takahashi's public disclosure represents a notable moment in Japanese professional sports, where LGBTQ+ visibility among athletes remains limited. His statement may influence workplace and team culture conversations around inclusion in Japan's professional sports environment, and could affect how athletic organizations address support systems for diverse athletes.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2022
WireTakahashi joins Suntory Sunbirds after graduating from Nihon University
Jan 1, 2022
WireTakahashi joined Suntory Sunbirds
Sep 29, 2026
WireTakahashi publicly announces his sexual orientation via Instagram post
Related Signals
Sources
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- 「幼き頃から悩み、自分自身を否定していました」バレーボール高橋塁、同性愛者であることを自身のSNSで告白 弟の高橋藍との会話をきっかけに「ありのままの自分でいいと思えるようになりました」(CoCoKARAnext)Yahoo!ニュースMediaSep 29, 2026
- バレー男子 高橋塁がセクシャルマイノリティを告白「幼き頃から向き合うことを恐れ、悩み、否定していました」「藍と話したことをきっかけに、初めて自分自身を認めることができた」デイリースポーツMediaSep 29, 2026
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- 【バレーボール】高橋塁が同姓愛者と公表 弟・藍と2季同チームでプレーし「自分を認めることができた」東スポWEBMediaSep 29, 2026