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| Model & Actress Izumi Rika Marries National Footballer Taniguchi Shogo (Instagram) |
Japanese model and actress Izumi Rika (36) and national footballer Taniguchi Shogo (33) have officially tied the knot! The long-time couple shared the happy news on 25 June through matching statements on Instagram, bringing smiles across the fashion and football worlds alike.
In her message to fans, Rika wrote,
“It’s a personal matter, so I apologise for the suddenness, but I’d like to announce that I’ve married Taniguchi Shogo, who I’ve been seeing for some time. Though we’re still learning as we go, we’ll continue to support each other and grow together. Thank you for your continued support.”
Taniguchi echoed the sentiment with the same heartfelt words on his own account. The couple kept things humble, but their fans were quick to flood the comments with congratulations and heart emojis.
From Sailor Moon to Wedding Bliss 🌙
Izumi Rika, born in Kyoto in 1988, first made her mark in the 2003 live-action Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, and hasn’t slowed down since. With her effortless elegance, she’s become a staple of Japanese fashion mags like Ray, Oggi, and Bijin Hyakka. In 2017, she released her first photobook, Rika!, to much fanfare.
As an actress, she’s dipped into everything from rom-coms to legal dramas. You might’ve spotted her in Gifted, Kamen Rider Gaim, Koi wa Deep ni, Shoujiki Fudousan, or her first lead role in Takaneno Hana-san back in 2021.
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A Star on the Pitch ⚽
Meanwhile, Taniguchi – born in Kumamoto in 1991 – has made a name for himself as a rock-solid centre-back. Standing at 183cm, the defender played nearly a decade with J1 League giants Kawasaki Frontale, before jetting off to Qatar’s Al-Rayyan SC in 2023.
He’s now set for a European chapter, with a move to Belgian first division club Sint-Truiden VV lined up for July 2024. Whether in Japan or abroad, Taniguchi’s known for his calm leadership and sharp reads on the pitch.
Love, Quietly and Steadily
While the pair kept their relationship largely under wraps, industry insiders had quietly suspected they were a couple for some time. Their down-to-earth announcement – with no glitz or fanfare – was very on-brand for both stars, who have built their careers on consistency and quiet determination.
Fans have been nothing but supportive, with many saying it’s “like watching your favourite drama lead get their happy ending in real life.” Others praised their low-key elegance and wished them all the best in this next chapter.
From the runway to the football field, it’s a match made in showbiz heaven. Congrats to the newlyweds!