Idol Rumored To Be Dating Long-Term Fan Was Booted From Her Group For A Sex Scandal…With A Fan

Recently, Japanese news outlet Shukan Bunshun reported that 32-year-old actress Sashihara Rino–a former member of the idol girl groups HKT48, AKB48, and STU48–is dating her fan of 14 years, Inukai Atsuhiro.

Ironically, this is not Sashihara’s first rumor related to an alleged relationship with a fan.

Sashihara made her debut in 2007, first becoming a trainee for the fifth generation of  AKB48, before debuting as a member of AKB48’s Team B in 2008.

In June 2012,  a man shared his story of dating Rino Sashihara in 2008 and 2009 when she was 16 and he was 17. According to his story, the man was a massive fan of AKB48 and came to the theater often, where he caught her eye. He also shared details about the two having sex and shared images he claimed were of Sashihara.

Sashihara claimed that the two were just friends, but later apologized for her “immoral actions,” which many believed was a partial admission of guilt. The idol was demoted and transferred to the sister group HKT48 afterwards.

However, this worked in her favor, as she ranked first in the general election of 2013 and gained more agency over her activities, which you can read more about below.

Where Is She Now? The “Bad Attitude” Idol Who Had Sex Scandal With A Fan