'She's a friend': Japanese volleyball star Ran Takahashi denies affair with JAV actress

Japanese newspaper Bunshun Online published a series of articles on Oct. 21 that revealed Takahashi spent the night with Kawatika, then went into the same hotel in Tokyo with influencer Uka the very next day.

Staff reporters of Bunshun also caught Takahashi and Uka meeting in Osaka, where he resides. The two then went to a luxury sauna in the city, where they stayed for over two hours before returning to Takahashi's apartment.

The next morning, after training, Takahashi was approached by a Bunshun reporter about his relationship with Uka.

"Yes, I met Uka yesterday," Takahashi responded. "We are just friends. Nothing more. We did not use the sauna together. We just went there to drink with our friends."

A celebrity close to Uka however told Bunshun: "Everyone in the industry knows that Takahashi is dating Uka."

Regarding the rumors of him spending the night with Kawakita, Takahashi clarified: "She's a friend and colleague. There's nothing romantic between us. I recommend you contact my agency if you need more details."

When asked about another JAV actress rumored to be close to him, Takahashi replied: "She is also a friend, just a friend. We meet occasionally in Tokyo, nothing more."

Representatives of Takahashi, Kawakita and Uka all have the same response, that personal matters are private and left to individual discretion, Kbizoom reported.

Takahashi, 24, is the main outside hitter of the Japan national volleyball team and was recently named the best outside hitter at the 2025 AVC Men’s Champions League. Known for his impressive performances on the court, Takahashi also has a large following on social media, with over 2.7 million followers on Instagram.

Kawakita, 26, entered the adult film industry at 18 and quickly became a prominent figure. She has a significant following, with over 1.3 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million on X.