Japan NT defender Ko Itakura in relationship with actress Haruna Kawaguchi

Source: Weekly Bunshun | July 18, 2025

Relationship Confirmed by Japanese Tabloid

According to a report by the Japanese tabloid magazine Weekly Bunshun, Japan national team player Ko Itakura and renowned actress Haruna Kawaguchi are currently in a romantic relationship.

On July 16 at 11 a.m., a luxury imported car was seen leaving the parking lot of an apartment in a Tokyo residential area. Behind the wheel sat a tall, striking man, while 31-year-old actress Haruna Kawaguchi—wearing a black baseball cap and glasses—rode in the passenger seat.

The car belongs to Kawaguchi, but the driver was her trusted partner. The relationship, kept from public view, reportedly began last year.

About Haruna Kawaguchi

Born in the Goto Islands of Nagasaki Prefecture, Kawaguchi entered the entertainment industry during her first year of junior high school. A major career turning point came when she starred in the 2020 NHK Taiga drama Kirin ga Kuru.

A sports newspaper reporter commented:

"After the original lead actress, Erika Sawajiri, withdrew, Haruna Kawaguchi was urgently selected to take over. Public attention was intense, but she handled the pressure well, delivered an excellent performance, and received high praise. Since then, she has appeared in popular works such as Fuji TV's Silent and NHK's morning drama Chimudondon, officially becoming a top-tier actress."

Kawaguchi is also known as the "advertising queen of the Reiwa era." Since 2022, she has topped the list of Japanese celebrities with the most corporate advertising endorsements for several consecutive years. In the first half of this year alone, she appeared in commercials for 17 companies, including Suntory and JCB.

The same reporter added:

"Haruna Kawaguchi's natural and unpretentious image has always resonated with audiences. Even if her relationship is exposed, it won't significantly impact her public image—that's her advantage. In 2019, a weekly magazine reported that she was dating mixed martial artist Yusuke Yachi."

During her relationship with Yachi, the two were photographed visiting her hometown in Nagasaki Prefecture. An entertainment reporter said:

"Haruna Kawaguchi and Yusuke Yachi dated for about five years, and many thought they were close to marriage, but they eventually broke up in the spring of 2024."

New Romance with Ko Itakura

After ending that relationship, Kawaguchi began a new romance with Ko Itakura. A source close to Kawaguchi revealed:

"Haruna Kawaguchi is currently dating Japan national football team captain Ko Itakura. It is said that they officially started their relationship last year, and she is very serious about it, even considering marriage."

Ko Itakura's Profile

Itakura is a core defender for the Japan national team and served as captain during the previous World Cup. After Japan's 1–2 loss to Brazil eliminated them from the tournament, Itakura gave an emotional interview, saying, "We shouldn't be a team that stops here."

A football reporter noted:

"Three days before the first World Cup match, Wataru Endo left the team due to injury, and Ko Itakura was temporarily appointed captain. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu explained that he chose Itakura because he expected him to help create a positive team atmosphere. Although it was an emergency appointment, Itakura did an excellent job uniting the team."

Since August 2025, Itakura has been playing for Dutch powerhouse Ajax.

Relationship Details

Shortly after Kawaguchi and Itakura began dating, she made a special trip to the Netherlands to visit him. An acquaintance of Kawaguchi said:

"Haruna Kawaguchi stayed in the Netherlands and lived with Ko Itakura. There, they didn't have to worry too much about people's gazes and could walk the streets like an ordinary couple. Someone also spotted them at a Japanese restaurant in Amsterdam. During Itakura's off-season, they also choose to meet in Japan."

Kawaguchi previously discussed her views on marriage and work in an interview:

"I think marriage is about fate and timing. As for work, of course, it gives me a sense of accomplishment, but I'm not so strongly attached that I have to be obsessed with it."

The acquaintance continued:

"Haruna Kawaguchi is, of course, very busy with work, but she still prioritizes spending time with Ko Itakura, even going to the Netherlands to see him. This shows that she values their relationship and has seriously considered a future with him."

Ideal Marriage Partner

According to another acquaintance:

"Haruna Kawaguchi has always said she doesn't want to marry someone from the entertainment industry. She likes masculine people, and her past partners have mostly been athletes, like baseball players. Although she has a straightforward and frank personality, she is also the type to give a lot in a relationship. When her previous athlete partner was injured, she would gently ask, 'Are you okay?'"

Kawaguchi has maintained good relationships with many football players. A football insider added:

"The fact that Haruna Kawaguchi is dating Ko Itakura is no longer a secret among Japan national team players."

Timeline and Confidentiality

Before they officially started dating, in June 2024, someone spotted them together in Tokyo. An entertainment reporter said:

"At that time, it hadn't been long since Haruna Kawaguchi's breakup with Yusuke Yachi was reported. According to an eyewitness, Haruna Kawaguchi and Ko Itakura, along with Japan national team players Junya Ito and Takuma Asano, attended a gathering. It was said that Haruna Kawaguchi drank quite a bit that day and seemed a little drunk."

Due to the high profiles of both individuals, their relationship has reportedly been treated as a "top-secret matter" by relevant parties.

An entertainment agency insider revealed:

"The fact that Haruna Kawaguchi and Ko Itakura are dating has been known within a certain circle for a while, but it's said that Haruna Kawaguchi is considering marriage. Only a very few people know about their marriage plans. Her agency is, of course, aware of the situation but has been handling it as a top-secret case. Since Haruna Kawaguchi is known as the advertising queen with many corporate partners, coordinating everything around marriage would be very complicated. It's said that her agency started briefing some partner companies around May this year."

No Official Response

Weekly Bunshun reached out to both Kawaguchi's agency and Itakura's management for comment on whether they are dating and whether they have marriage plans. As of the deadline, neither side had responded.

As a key player in Japan's national team defense, Ko Itakura will not only continue to guard the team's goal in the future but may also continue to protect his relationship with the nationally beloved actress Haruna Kawaguchi.

Source: Weekly Bunshun