LGBTQ+ Japanese Celebrities to Know, From Pioneers to Today

Hikaru Utada is sat in a car with the window down staring ahead with their hand raised near their face
Daniel Fowler
By
Daniel Fowler

Japan’s entertainment industry includes LGBTQ+ singers, actors, television personalities, and so much more. This guide introduces a curated group of LGBTQ+ Japanese celebrities, from postwar performer Akihiro Miwa to XG rapper Cocona.

Each profile explains what the person is known for, the identity language they have used publicly, and why their public presence matters. This is a curated, non-exhaustive list. Inclusion is based on public statements, official material, or strong, reputable reporting.

Celebrities in This Guide

  • Akihiro Miwa – singer, actor and voice performer
  • Matsuko Deluxe – television personality and columnist
  • Ai Haruna – television personality and singer
  • Kayo Satoh – model, gamer and television personality
  • Kazlaser – comedian and television personality
  • kemio – digital creator, model and entertainer
  • Hikaru Utada – singer-songwriter
  • KABA.chan – choreographer, television personality and actor
  • Mitz Mangrove – television personality, singer and drag performer
  • Ataru Nakamura – singer-songwriter and actor
  • Ayaka Ichinose – talent, actor and MC
  • Moga Mogami – former idol, model and actor
  • Satsuki Nakayama – actor and model
  • Shinjiro Atae – AAA singer and solo performer
  • Cocona of XG – rapper and XG member

How This List Was Selected

The people included in this guide have either spoken publicly about their identity or are supported by reliable reporting. When someone has described their identity in their own words, we use their current wording where possible. Older terms are only included when they help explain an important part of the person’s history.

Sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression are different things. One does not establish another. Drag, crossdressing and queer roles do not, by themselves, establish that someone is LGBTQ+. This is especially important when writing about entertainers whose public image may involve gender presentation.

LGBTQ+ Japanese Entertainers Across Generations

Akihiro Miwa (美輪明宏)

Akihiro Miwa is seen posing and looking into the camera while wearing a yellow dress and silver jewellery
PRTIMES Japan

Known for: Chanson, stage and film work, plus voice roles in Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle.

Akihiro Miwa was a singer, actor, author and voice performer whose career stretched across many decades. He became an important figure in Japanese entertainment after the Second World War and was publicly known as a gay or homosexual man.

Miwa also became known for a bold gender-nonconforming appearance. His significance lies in the length of his career and in how openly he discussed homosexuality at a time when public conversations about LGBTQ+ identities were very different from those today.

Miwa died on 20 June 2026, aged 91. His career remains an important part of the history of LGBTQ+ visibility in Japanese popular entertainment.

KABA-chan

KABA.chan is seen sat at an angle with their head turned towards the camera, while wearing their long hair down and in a white top
www.platinumproduction.jp

Known for: Choreography for dos, long-running variety television work and later acting.

KABA.chan first became widely known as a choreographer and television personality. Their career later expanded into acting and other entertainment work.

KABA.chan publicly disclosed their gender identity in 2002. In 2016, they underwent gender-affirming surgery and legally changed their gender.

Their transition took place alongside a successful career in mainstream entertainment, where KABA.chan has continued to work in television, choreography and acting.

Matsuko Deluxe (マツコ・デラックス)

Matsuko Deluxe poses in front of a maroon backdrop, wearing a while gown and dark red lipstick
PRTIMES Japan

Known for: Television commentary, variety shows and a highly recognisable public persona.

Matsuko Deluxe is one of Japan’s best-known gay television personalities. His crossdressing persona has also been a major part of his public image.

Matsuko is described as a gay man, but he has also made clear that he has never wanted to become a woman. His long television career has made him one of the most recognisable gay figures in Japanese entertainment.

Mitz Mangrove (ミッツ・マングローブ)

Mitz Mangrove is looking into the camera while wearing large earrings and strong makeupMitz Mangrove is looking into the camera while wearing large earrings and strong makeupMitz Mangrove is looking into the camera while wearing large earrings and strong makeupMitz Mangrove is looking into the camera while wearing large earrings and strong makeupMitz Mangrove is looking into the camera while wearing large earrings and strong makeupMitz Mangrove is looking into the camera while wearing large earrings and strong makeupMitz Mangrove is looking into the camera while wearing large earrings and strong makeupMitz Mangrove is looking into the camera while wearing large earrings and strong makeup
PRTIMES Japan

Known for: Television and radio commentary, music, drag performance and the vocal group Hoshikuzu Scat.

Mitz Mangrove is a television personality, singer and drag performer. He has also worked in music and radio, including as part of Hoshikuzu Scat.

Mitz has described himself as a gay or homosexual man. He has also spoken about entering drag culture and working as a cross-dressing performer, both of which have become part of his public career.

Ai Haruna (はるな愛)

Ai Haruna is posing and staring into the camera against a white backdrop, wearing a fun pink dress, covered in many flowers
PRTIMES Japan

Known for: Variety television, ‘Air Ayaya’, singing and winning Miss International Queen in 2009.

Ai Haruna became a familiar face on Japanese variety television through comedy and performance. She later built a career in singing and other entertainment work, and won Miss International Queen in 2009.

Haruna’s own language about gender is more nuanced than a single label can suggest. She has placed herself within the ‘T’ in transgender, while also explaining that the category does not feel completely sufficient to describe her.

Rather than imposing a simpler label, her own explanation gives a clearer picture of how she understands herself.

Her life is also the subject of the 2026 Netflix drama This is I. The film is a biographical drama based on Haruna’s life, rather than a documentary. It has also brought her story back into the spotlight more than three decades into her entertainment career.

image 20
This Is I Review: Netflix’s New Transgender Movie

Ataru Nakamura (中村中)

Ataru Nakamura poses in a classic-style hairdo and black and white dress, while crouching over and staring into the camera. The photo is in black and white
www.atarunakamura.com

Known for: ‘Tomodachi no Uta’, singer-songwriter work, acting and major television and music appearances.

Ataru Nakamura is a singer-songwriter and actor whose career spans music, television and stage work.

Nakamura publicly disclosed her transgender identity in 2006. Her official English biography describes her as a transgender woman and uses she/her pronouns.

She has since built a long career in music and theatre, including an appearance on Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Kayo Satoh (佐藤かよ)

Kayo Satoh is staring intently into the camera as they pose for a modelling headshot against a white backdrop
www.asiapro.co.jp

Known for: Modelling, television, gaming and fashion.

Kayo Satoh first became known as a model and television personality before moving into gaming and fashion.

Satoh has spoken publicly about being transgender. She has remained active across entertainment, including ABEMA and television appearances in 2025 and 2026.

Ayaka Ichinose (一ノ瀬文香)

Ayaka Ichinose is smiling cheerfully into the camera against a white backdrop
www.tokyoweekender.com

Known for: Talent and gravure work, acting, MC work and LGBTQ+ media appearances.

Ayaka Ichinose publicly came out as lesbian in 2009. She has since continued to work across television, acting and MC roles while maintaining a public career as a lesbian entertainer.

Kazlaser (カズレーザー)

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PRTIMES Japan

Known for: The comedy duo Maple Chogokin, quiz shows and variety television.

Kazlaser is a comedian and television personality. He is one half of the comedy duo Maple Chogokin and regularly appears on Japanese television.

Kazlaser has publicly identified as bisexual and has spoken about his bisexuality straightforwardly in national entertainment coverage.

Moga Mogami (最上もが)

Moga Mogami is crouching down as they pose for a picture wearing a red dress with pearl accessories, and a bow tie glitter sticker under their eye
Instagram | mogatanpe

Known for: Dempagumi.inc, television, modelling and acting.

Moga Mogami first became known as a member of the idol group Dempagumi.inc. She has since worked in television, modelling and acting.

Mogami has described herself as bisexual. She has also said that gender is not the deciding factor in who she is attracted to. Notably, she did not see her own announcement as a traditional ‘coming out’, showing that people can describe and share their sexuality in different ways.

For a more detailed look at bisexual celebrities in Japan, see:

D0LiHzaVsAETkns 1
Bisexual Japan: 5 of the Most Iconic Bisexual Celebrities

kemio

kemio poses for a professional photo on the red carpet of the Gucci fashion show
PRTIMES Japan

Known for: Social media, video creation, modelling, fashion and entertainment.

kemio built his career through social media and online video. He has also worked in modelling, fashion and other areas of entertainment.

He has spoken publicly about being gay and about a time when he tried to hide his feelings. His career is also an example of how LGBTQ+ entertainers can build large audiences outside traditional television and music.

Satsuki Nakayama (中山咲月)

Satsuki Nakayama looks into the camera in a serious manner as they wear a white t-shirt and small round earrings
www.tencarat.co.jp

Known for: Kamen Rider Zero-One, acting, modelling and stage work.

Satsuki Nakayama is an actor and model whose career includes Kamen Rider Zero-One, modelling and stage performances.

Nakayama has described themselves as transgender and asexual and has also spoken about living as male.

Earlier Japanese media used the term ‘genderless girl’ to describe Nakayama. Nakayama later rejected that description and explained their identity in their own words.

Hikaru Utada (宇多田ヒカル)

Hikaru Utada stands in front of a window and looks outside as the trees are reflected back against the window glass. They are wearing a black and white suit jacket
PRTIMES Japan

Known for: First Love, J-pop and the Kingdom Hearts theme songs.

Hikaru Utada is one of Japan’s best-known singer-songwriters. Their career includes the hit song First Love and music for the Kingdom Hearts series.

Utada has publicly identified as non-binary. They have also spoken about their pronouns in an Apple Music interview.

You can read more about Utada in our guide: in our guide to Hikaru Utada’s non-binary identity and career.

Article Images Ritsu 42
Hikaru Utada: Japanese Non-Binary Icon

Shinjiro Atae (與真司郎)

Shinjiro Atae wears a black jacket and silver jewellery as they stare into the camera in front of a grey concrete wall
www.shinjiro-official.com

Known for: Member of AAA and a solo music career.

On 26 July 2023, Shinjiro Atae told fans at an event in Tokyo that he is a gay man. By then, he was already well known as a member of AAA and had begun a solo music career.

The announcement became an important moment in his career. He has since continued to speak about his life before and after coming out.

Cocona of XG

Cocona wears a plunging black suit jacket and long necklaces as they sit and pose for photos at a fashion show
PRTIMES Japan

Known for: Rapping and performing as a member of XG.

Cocona is a rapper and performer in XG. The group released THE CORE – 核 in January 2026, which reached the Top 100 of the Billboard 200. XG also began its second world tour in February 2026.

On 6 December 2025, Cocona publicly identified as AFAB transmasculine non-binary. This is the wording Cocona used to describe their identity. It should not be shortened to ‘trans man’, as this would leave out the non-binary part of their identity.

Cocona is one of the most recent examples in this guide, bringing LGBTQ+ visibility into a current generation of Japanese popular music.

What Celebrity Visibility Can – and Cannot – Tell Us

LGBTQ+ visibility in Japanese entertainment has taken many forms. Miwa represents a long career in postwar entertainment, while figures such as kemio and Cocona come from a newer, more digital media environment. Matsuko Deluxe and Mitz Mangrove also show how sexual orientation and gender presentation can both be part of a public image without meaning the same thing.

This list cannot show the full number or diversity of LGBTQ+ people working in Japanese entertainment. It can, however, help readers find visible examples across different generations and areas of the industry. Identity is only one part of any performer’s story.

For more LGBTQ+ culture coverage, explore our guides:

More to Read

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Japanese Trans Man Icon: Shiki Aoki
Across the Sea: Iconic LGBTQ+ Japanese-American Figures
Japanese Drag Culture: Everything You Need To Know
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ByDaniel Fowler
Daniel is a writer with a passion for helping people discover the best of LGBTQ Japan. He aims to make travelling, living and exploring Japan easier by providing practical, accurate and up-to-date information about LGBTQ-friendly destinations, nightlife, culture and travel. Before focusing on LGBTQ travel, Daniel built his career in the UK working for an environmental charity dedicated to protecting the country's natural landscapes, historic sites, and places of cultural significance. Through roles specialising in call centre and supplier management, project and change management, and executive support, he developed a strong focus on clear communication, thorough research, and creating resources that people can genuinely rely on. Today, Daniel combines his love of Japan with a passion for supporting the LGBTQ community by producing guides that are honest, inclusive, and easy to use. Whether you're planning your first trip, looking for the best gay bars in Tokyo, or wanting to better understand LGBTQ life in Japan, his goal is to help you explore the country with confidence. When he's not writing, you'll usually find Daniel relaxing in a cafe with a good book, watching films, listening to music, or spending time with friends exploring the vibrant nightlife of Shinjuku Nichome.
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