J-pop idol and solo artist Shinjiro Atae, who is a member of Japanese group AAA, revealed that he is gay, saying that it is better “to live life authentically.”
Atae made the announcement during a fan meeting at Line Cube Shibuya in Tokyo, earning applause from more than 2,000 attendees.
Shinjiro Atae (Nina Menconi)
In his speech, he told fans why he made the decision to come out and urged other people who struggled just like him to have courage.
To accompany his revelation, Atae released a new song titled “Into The Light,” a portion of the sales will be donated to Pride House Tokyo, Japan’s first permanent LGBTQ+ center, and ReBit, an organization providing resources and support for LGBTQ+ youth.
“Into The Light” was co-written with singer-songwriter Wrabel (Pink, Backstreet Boys, Kygo, Kesha, etc.) and writer-production duo Afterhrs (One Direction, Maroon 5, etc).
His announcement came amid pressures of a politically sensitive time in Japan. Japan is the only Group of Seven (G7) nation with no legal protection for same-sex unions and advocates have been calling for the government to pass stronger pro-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Atae is one of the first established Asian and Pacific Islander (API) idols to come out.
Shinjiro Atae at his fan meeting on July 26 in Tokyo (Nina Menconi)
In an Instagram post, Atae revealed his decision to come out as gay.
Here is his post on July 26:
“To all my fans, today was a very special day for me. For years, I struggled to accept a part of myself...But now, after all I have been through, I finally have the courage to open up to you about something. I am a gay man.
“It has taken me a long time to be able to say I am gay. I could not even say it to myself. However, I’ve come to realize it is better, both for me, and for the people I care about, including my fans, to live life authentically than to live a life never accepting who I truly am. I hope people who are struggling with the same feeling will find courage and know they are not alone.
“I held this event today because I wanted to tell as many of you as possible directly. For those unable to attend I will be posting my full speech on my website tomorrow so you can hear the news in my own words. The link is in my bio (English subtitles available).
“When I think of my work in the entertainment industry and the many things for which I am grateful, it is my relationship with my fans that first comes to mind. I thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for standing beside me over the years. I’d also like to thank my family, friends, staff members and my fellow AAA members for providing me their full support throughout this process.”
Atae uploaded another post on Instagram on July 28. Here is the text:
“July 26th, 2023 was a big day for me. I finally gathered the courage to come out to the public as a gay man.
“I am grateful to have received media coverage from multiple platforms both within Japan and overseas.
“To be honest, I was extremely anxious before all of this happened. However, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover the overwhelming amount of positive feedback pouring in from both my fans and people who have come across the news about me. It's heartwarming to see that my story is being acknowledged from all around the world, and this brings me immense joy.
“Although they may be baby steps, I sense that this world is gradually moving into the light.
“Yesterday, I made an announcement about resuming my career as an artist. I also released a new song titled “Into The Light”. The music video for the song is also on YouTube now. This song is packed with the emotions and thoughts leading up to this point, including my decision to come out.
“Living with anxieties and struggles is not limited to just LGBTQ+ individuals. I hope this song can be a source of encouragement for anyone carrying such emotions. I've aimed for it to become a song that can uplift those with similar feelings. The Japanese lyrics are available in a lyric video on YouTube, so please take a look at that too.
“A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Pride House Tokyo, Japan’s first permanent LGBTQ+ center, and ReBit, an organization providing resources and support for LGBTQ+ youth.
"I hope this song will touch many hearts.”
The music video for “Into the Light” personifies this journey. With the help of director Tsubasa Maruno, it provides a beautiful juxtaposition between the darkness and loneliness Shinjiro has felt throughout the course of his life and the relief he has experienced by finally coming to a place of acceptance.
At the fan meeting, Atae also revealed that he will be working with the Academy-award winning Peter Farrelly and Fisher Stevens as producers on a forthcoming documentary about his life directed by Shinjrio’s long-time friends, and burgeoning industry creative duo, Carlie Mantilla-Jordan and John Eliot Jordan.
Others involved in the project include Thomas Jordan, Hiroki Shirota, Stephanie Nonoshita and Stevens’ Highly Flammable production team Zak Kilberg and Maura Anderson. More information about the documentary will be shared in the coming months.
Atae debuted in AAA in 2005 after being chosen among 20,000 boys. He moved to Tokyo by himself and trained and recorded for over a decade.
AAA went on to sell out stadiums including the world renowned Tokyo Dome. Since his debut, Atae has had eight albums in the top 10 of Billboard’s Japan Top Albums Chart.
In 2022, Shinjiro released the book “Every Life is Correct, But Incorrect” in Japan, which became a best-seller.