Japanese volleyball sensation Ran Takahashi has publicly refuted recent allegations detailed in a local media report, which claimed he had engaged in hotel visits with two women, including a prominent adult film actress. The 24-year-old athlete asserted that both individuals are merely friends.
The controversy originated from a report by Japanese newspaper Bunshun Online, published on October 21. It alleged that Takahashi spent a night at a hotel with Saika Kawakita, an adult film actress, followed by a meeting with another female personality the very next day. These events reportedly took place after a friendly match between Japan and Bulgaria in early August.
According to the Bunshun report, after leaving the team’s official accommodation following the August friendly, Takahashi was observed entering a restaurant in Tokyo, disguised with a hat and mask. Shortly thereafter, a young woman with short hair, identified as Saika Kawakita, entered the same establishment. The pair then reportedly left together for a hotel in the city. Kawakita, aged 26, is a well-known figure in Japan’s adult entertainment industry, having started her career at 18. She commands a significant social media following, boasting 1.3 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million on X (formerly Twitter).
Adding another layer to the narrative, the report also detailed a subsequent meeting. On the same day that Kawakita departed the hotel, Takahashi was said to have met with Uka, an Instagram influencer with approximately 150,000 followers. Sources cited by Kbizoom reportedly identified Uka as Takahashi’s girlfriend.
In response to the mounting public speculation, Takahashi’s management company issued a statement affirming that they do not interfere with the personal lives of their athletes. Furthermore, the 24-year-old Outside Hitter for the Japan national volleyball team and Suntory Sunbirds, himself a top player recognized as the best hitter at the AVC Men’s Champions League, personally addressed the claims. He firmly maintained that his relationships with both Saika Kawakita and Uka are strictly platonic, describing them as simply friends.
