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| HKT48 Graduate Hokazono Hazuki and Giants Infielder Richard Sunagawa Officially Married (Photo: Instagram/Hazuki) |
Former HKT48 member and current vocalist of SHOOT THE MOON, Hokazono Hazuki, has officially married Yomiuri Giants infielder Richard Sunagawa — marking one of the sweetest idol-meets-athlete stories of the year.
Hazuki, now 26, surprised fans on the 26th by updating her Instagram with a simple but heartfelt marriage announcement. The news arrived just hours after Sunagawa finalised his new contract with the Giants in Tokyo, securing an estimated annual salary of 26 million yen for the coming season.
During his press appearance, Richard Sunagawa revealed that he would be getting married this December, speaking warmly about Hazuki’s support throughout his transition to the team.
“She’s always encouraged me and stayed close through everything,” he said. “I’m grateful for her, and I want to work even harder next year.”
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Hazuki was born in Fukuoka on 17 January 1999 and entered HKT48 as part of the third generation in 2013 at just 14. She later became vice-captain of Team TII, earning the nickname Hazuki and building a loyal fanbase with her bright personality and strong stage presence.
She graduated from HKT48 at the end of 2022 and shifted her focus to music, forming the unit SHOOT THE MOON in 2023 with guitarist-composer Kazuki.
Hazuki handles vocals and lyrics, while Kazuki takes charge of production.
Their musical style blends DTM elements with guitar-driven energy, quickly turning heads in the local scene.
The duo won the GO!GO!GO! 2024 – Road to Kijima audition grand prize, and their songs have appeared in radio programmes and films. Hazuki is set to perform a solo live at Fukuoka INSA on 13 December — now her first show as a married woman.
With over 26k followers on Twitter, 20k on Instagram, and her own YouTube channel Hazuchannel, she continues to attract attention with her polished vocals and easygoing charm.
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Hazuki and Sunagawa first met during the 2023 off-season at a friend’s wedding. Sunagawa reportedly had a classic love-at-first-sight moment, calling her “cute” and immediately taking interest.
Once Hazuki wrapped up a major work milestone at the start of the year, Sunagawa began pursuing her seriously.
Their relationship officially started at Yone-no-Yama, a scenic Fukuoka lookout spot overlooking Hakata Bay and Tenjin’s city lights — a place that later became deeply meaningful for them.
A year later, during the 2024 off-season, Sunagawa proposed at the very same spot, keeping the memory intact with a straightforward, heartfelt “Please marry me.”
【ご報告】
— 外薗葉月 (@hazuki___0117) November 26, 2025
いつも、支えてくださっているファンの皆さまには、心より感謝いたします。
先程、砂川リチャードからもご報告させていただきました通り、
この度、砂川リチャードと外薗葉月は結婚する運びとなりましたことをご報告いたします。
SHOOT THE MOON… pic.twitter.com/FiY3W2omf1
The pair have been living together in Fukuoka with their dog, and after nearly two years of dating, they will be submitting their marriage registration on 21 December.
Fans from both the baseball world and idol community have been flooding them with well-wishes, celebrating a rare public romance that grew naturally and stayed grounded.
A huge congratulations to Hazuki and Sunagawa — wishing them a bright new chapter ahead.