TOKYO - Rui Takahashi, a volleyball player for the Suntory Sunbirds Osaka in Japan's top-tier SV.League, revealed his homosexuality on social media on Tuesday, becoming one of the few openly gay athletes in the country.

Takahashi said on Instagram that he had agonized since youth over his sexual identity, but gradually came to terms with it after conversations with his younger brother Ran, 25, a volleyball star who plays for Japan's national team.

The brothers were teammates on the SV.League club for about two years, with Ran joining Bogdanka LUK Lublin of Poland's PlusLiga for the 2026-27 season.

In his post, Rui expressed hope that his coming out will help others struggling with their sexual orientation.