 |
| Haruna Kawaguchi and Kou Itakura Spotted on Private Drive Date as Romance Report Emerges. (Bunshun) |
Haruna Kawaguchi and Japan international footballer Kou Itakura have become the latest celebrity pair to set social media buzzing after a report claimed the two are in a serious relationship. According to Shukan Bunshun, the actress and the football defender quietly began dating after Haruna's reported split from her long-term partner in 2024, with their romance now said to have grown into something much more serious.
The report paints a picture of a relationship that has largely stayed away from the spotlight despite both stars being among the most recognisable names in their industries. Fresh photographs published by the magazine reportedly captured Haruna and Itakura enjoying a relaxed drive around Tokyo in a luxury car, offering fans one of the first glimpses of the pair together outside their professional lives.
For many followers of Japanese entertainment, the news came as a genuine surprise. Haruna Kawaguchi, now 31, has built one of the strongest careers in Japanese television and advertising.
Since her breakthrough performances in major dramas including Kirin ga Kuru and the hugely successful Silent, she has become one of the country's most sought-after actresses, regularly topping commercial endorsement rankings and earning a reputation for her approachable, down-to-earth image.
Before this reported romance, Haruna Kawaguchi had been in a long-term relationship with martial artist Yusuke Yachi. The couple were widely believed to be heading towards marriage after several years together, but entertainment reports claimed they ended their relationship in the spring of 2024.
Rather than attracting criticism at the time, many fans had openly supported the relationship, making the reported split an unexpected chapter in her personal life.
 |
The latest report suggests she did not stay single for long. According to Shukan Bunshun, Haruna and Kou Itakura grew close last year, and she even travelled to the Netherlands to spend time with him shortly after their relationship began.
At the time, Kou Itakura was continuing his football career in Europe, with the report stating that she made several trips overseas to see him despite their demanding schedules.
Kou Itakura, 29, remains one of Japan's most respected defenders and has established himself as a key figure for the national team. Known for his calm presence on the pitch and leadership qualities, he has also earned admiration for his emotional commitment to representing Japan.
Off the field, however, he has generally kept his private life well away from public attention, making this reported relationship particularly eye-catching.
The magazine also claims the pair have enjoyed spending time together both in Europe and Japan, balancing long-distance commitments with private dates whenever possible.
Among the reported highlights was their recent drive around Tokyo, where they appeared relaxed and comfortable in each other's company. Sometimes the quietest date turns into the loudest headline, especially when photographers happen to know exactly where to be.
Adding even more intrigue, the report hints that conversations about the future may already have taken place, with marriage reportedly becoming part of the discussion. However, no details have been confirmed publicly, and any suggestion about wedding plans remains speculation at this stage.
Neither Haruna Kawaguchi's agency nor Kou Itakura's management had publicly commented on the report before publication, according to Shukan Bunshun. As a result, many details surrounding the relationship remain unverified beyond the magazine's claims.
Fans have responded with a mixture of excitement, surprise and cautious optimism. Many described the pairing as unexpectedly well matched, saying the actress's calm personality appears to complement the footballer's grounded image.
Others admitted they never imagined a television star and one of Japan's biggest football names would quietly become one of the country's most talked-about couples.
There has also been a wave of humour across social media. Some joked that while fans were busy tracking Itakura's transfer news and Haruna Kawaguchi's filming schedule, the pair had apparently been running their own private fixture list all along. Others laughed that travelling from Japan to the Netherlands for romance certainly deserves frequent flyer points.
Until either Haruna Kawaguchi or Kou Itakura chooses to speak publicly, the reported relationship remains exactly that—a report. Even so, the story has already become one of the biggest entertainment talking points of the week, with fans eagerly waiting to see whether the couple will confirm the romance or continue keeping things as private as their reported drive dates. What do you think about this unexpected pairing? Are they Japan's newest celebrity power couple, or should everyone wait for official confirmation before celebrating?