Idol-Turned-Actress Is Reportedly Dating A Famous Fan Who Stanned Her For 14 Years
After 14 years of supporting his favorite star, one “successful fan” is now reportedly in a serious relationship with her.
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.
30-year-old writer and actor Inukai Atsuhiro co-starred with Sashihara Rino on the NTV variety show Talk Queens in 2024. During the show, Inukai confessed that he began stanning Sashihara as a teenager, after she debuted with AKB48 back in 2007.
Of course, it was a hardcore crush! I don’t really understand any other way of supporting someone. It wasn’t painful or anything back then. Maybe it was fun because it was one-sided. If there had been any kind of back-and-forth, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. It was fun because I could just support her without thinking about anything unnecessary. That kind of relationship was easy.
— Inukai Atasuhiro
During Sashihara’s idol days, Inukai attended her handshake event, bought her merch and photos, and supported her from afar. After she transitioned from being an idol to being an actress and a variety show queen, he continued to follow and champion her career.
After co-starring on Talk Queens, the two reportedly contacted each other through mutual friends and eventually began dating.
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On May 10, Inukai, Sashihara, and Sashihara’s cat were spotted taking a taxi together from a Tokyo apartment complex to a nearby vet for an appointment.
According to Shukan Bushan‘s report, the two have frequently been spotted entering and leaving each other’s residences.
