 |
| Sakaguchi Kentaro’s Complicated Love Life: Nagano Mei, Long-Term Girlfriend, and Tanaka Kei in the Mix |
Shukan Bunshun has dropped yet another bombshell in Japan’s entertainment world — this time centred around actor Sakaguchi Kentaro (34), actress Nagano Mei (25), and a messy triangle that apparently stretched over three years.
According to the report, Kentaro Sakaguchi had been living with his long-time partner — a hairstylist three years his senior — whom he’d been dating for four years.
However, around three years ago, whispers of closeness with Nagano Mei started circulating.
The two have worked together multiple times, and by mid-2022, their professional ties deepened when they reunited as PRADA ambassadors.
At a luxury brand dinner, sparks allegedly flew again, with Nagano jokingly telling friends that Sakaguchi was “pursuing her like crazy.”
 |
Girlfriend’s Warning and Complicated Feelings
Things turned tense when Kentaro's girlfriend confronted Nagano directly, telling her not to approach him.
Despite this, their connection continued — with rumours of hand-in-hand dates and late-night meetups.
Insiders suggest that Sakaguchi Kentaro wanted to break things off with his partner and be with Nagano Mei, but his indecisive nature left him stuck between both women.
 |
Enter: Tanaka Kei
Just as the situation was already messy, reports say Nagano began seeing actor Tanaka Kei in autumn last year.
Even then, she reportedly couldn’t shake her feelings for Sakaguchi Kentaro.
One acquaintance claimed she once accidentally called Tanaka “Ken-chan” after drinking too much — a slip that Tanaka supposedly brushed off calmly, fully aware of her lingering connection to Sakaguchi.
This drama is unfolding while Sakaken's career is at a high.
From his breakout role in Okaeri Mone (2021) to his growing popularity in Korea — including campaigns for Uniqlo Korea and recent attention after BLACKPINK’s Lisa posted a close photo with him — he’s one of the most in-demand Japanese stars.
Which only makes his private life even more scrutinised.
 |
Break-Up Confirmed
Hairstylist A — Sakaguchi Kentaro’s girlfriend — had previously worked as Tanaka Kei’s hairstylist and make-up artist.
Nagano Mei’s agency confirmed that she and Sakaguchi had dated in the past, though they were not aware if either of them was seeing someone else at the time.
Sakaguchi’s agency also acknowledged his relationship with A. In the spring of this year, Sakaguchi Kentaro consulted his agency about A’s wish to get married, but he expressed that he wanted to prioritise his acting career.
He then made the decision to break up with her, and the two are now already living separately.
With Bunshun’s spotlight looming, Sakaguchi Kentaro has reportedly decided to end things with his hairstylist girlfriend of four years.
She was said to be ready for marriage, while he told close friends he wanted to focus on acting internationally.
Whether he will step forward with Nagano Mei — or if that ship has already sailed after Tanaka Kei — remains the big question.