Shinjiro 與 真司郎
On July 29, J-Pop star, Shinjiro Atae, announced in front of 200,000 fans that he is gay. This was a huge deal. Not only because coming out is a moment a person never forgets but also because Japan has not legalized same-sex marriage.
“Dear Fans,
Thank you everyone for your support!
I think I surprised you all with my announcement and looking back on it I believe it was the right choice to make.
I’ve grown stronger by coming out to my family, close friends, staff, and fellow members. Additionally, I feel that my bond with my fans has deepened.
Reading everyone’s supportive comments and DM’s has brought me so much joy.
I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from all over the world and I’m surprised by everyone’s reactions. Many people say that I'm brave, but without all the love and support my fans have shown me throughout the years, I would have never been able to build up the courage to come out publicly. I will never forget the applause and words of encouragement during my coming out speech; it brought me to tears.
This experience has made me love you all even more and all I wish is for my fans to be happy. 😭
Let's laugh together, cry together and have a fun life together!
I love you all soooooo much❤️”
