Japanese soccer player Kumi Yokoyama came out as a transgender man last week in a groundbreaking moment of visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. Yokoyama, who uses they/them pronouns, plays for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), as well as on the Japanese National Team.
“Coming out wasn’t something I was enthusiastic about, but if I think about my life going forward, it would be harder to live closeted, so I found the courage to come out,” Yokoyama said in a conversation with former teammate Yuki Nagasato, which was posted to Nagasato’s YouTube channel on Saturday. “In the future, I want to quit soccer and live as a man.”
After that admission, the 27-year-old striker posted an Instagram story saying they were “inspired by friends all around the world” and adding that they “want to always stay true” and “live [an] authentic life.”
Yokoyama went on to say that playing in the United States over the past year had allowed them to feel comfortable coming out. “I’ve dated several women over the years but I had to stay closeted in Japan,” they said. “In Japan, I’d always be asked if I had a boyfriend, but here, I’m asked if I have a boyfriend or girlfriend.”
“I would not have come out in Japan,” Yokoyama added.
Japan’s policies on trans recognition have been called “abusive and outdated” by the global advocacy group Human Rights Watch, and activists have urged the country to change them. The process for correcting gender markers in Japan requires forced sterilization and a psychiatric diagnosis of mental illness. Individuals also must be unmarried, over the age of 20, and not have any children under the age of 20.
There have been some initial steps toward progress. In March, the country’s marriage equality ban was deemed unconstitutional, and some municipalities have their own laws recognizing same-sex unions.
Since coming out, Yokoyama has received a lot of support, both from fellow soccer players and other notable public figures. “Best part of the day is saying [ohayou] to Kumi in the am,” tweeted their Spirit teammate Tori Huster, referencing the Japanese word for “good morning.” “Love this human more than the English or Japanese language can explain.”
The Spirit has also been outspoken on social media in its support of Yokoyama. “Thank you for showing the world it’s OK to embrace who you are!” the team tweeted on Saturday.
On Monday, President Joe Biden joined in by tweeting congratulations both to Yokoyama and Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib, who came out as gay in a Monday Instagram post. Nassib, a 28-year-old Penn State graduate, is the first active NFL player to open up about their sexual orientation before retiring.
