Airi Murakami (Photo by Shinichi Chubachi)
A top female rugby player, who has earned a cap on the national team, has made it publicly known that she has a same-sex partner.
“There was a time when I kept my sexual orientation to myself,” said Airi Murakami, who plays for the Yokogawa Musashino Artemi-Stars. “But after I met with people who embrace me for who I am, I came to want to behave as my true self and have others know me for who I am.
“I hope to be a catalyst, the next time around, for other troubled athletes, female or male.”