Japanese volleyball player Rui Takahashi publicly came out as gay on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, revealing that years of struggling with his identity became easier to confront after conversations with his younger brother, Ran Takahashi.

The 26-year-old Suntory Sunbirds Osaka outside hitter shared the announcement on social media as the new volleyball season approaches. Rui said he had struggled since childhood to face and accept his sexuality, but spending about two years on the same team as Ran helped him acknowledge himself more openly.

Born Jan. 14, 2000, in Kyoto, Rui joined Suntory Sunbirds in 2022 after playing at Higashiyama High School and Nihon University. The club lists him as an outside hitter, while Japan's SV League records him as a 186-centimeter player for Suntory Sunbirds Osaka.

Rui has remained with the Osaka club for the 2026-27 season. Suntory announced in May that he had renewed his contract, and its June roster lists him as No. 21. The team's new season is scheduled to begin in October.

His younger brother Ran, who is also a professional volleyball player and a member of Japan's men's volleyball setup, previously played alongside Rui at Suntory. Ran joined the club for the 2024-25 season before leaving after the 2025-26 campaign.

In his statement, Rui wrote, "I am gay and a member of the sexual minority," describing the difficulty he had experienced since childhood. He said conversations with Ran helped him accept himself for the first time.

Rui also explained that putting his feelings into words helped him organize his thoughts and gradually reach the point of believing that it was acceptable to be himself. He credited not only Ran but also his family, teammates, team staff and others who supported him.

What Rui Said About His Coming-Out Announcement

Rui said he decided to speak publicly because he wanted to address his supporters in his own words. He also expressed hope that sharing his experience could help people who are struggling to accept themselves.

Rui made clear that coming out would not change his commitment to volleyball, as he intends to continue his career while being open about who he is.

The announcement makes Rui one of the relatively uncommon active male professional athletes in Japan to publicly discuss his sexuality. As the 2026-27 SV League season approaches, Rui is set to continue with Suntory Sunbirds Osaka.