On April 10, Rina Kawaei and Tomoki Hirose shared the news through their personal accounts. Rina Kawaei said: “We have decided to end our relationship as a married couple and go our own way in life.”
Tomoki Hirose also expressed gratitude towards the fans, saying: “We have decided to end our relationship as a married couple and move forward on our separate paths. I am truly grateful for the time we have spent together and for our beloved children.” She added that her respect for Kawaei as an actress remains unchanged.
Despite their split, the two emphasized their commitment to co-parenting. Kawaei shared that she will continue to do her best as both an actress and a mother, while Hirose stated that they will build a new relationship as parents and raise their children together.
The couple first announced their wedding in May 2019, along with the news of their pregnancy. They met in 2018 during the theater production “Call phone”, and their sudden marriage announcement, with no previous dating rumors, attracted significant public attention at the time.
According to reports, their divorce was officially filed on April 9. While no specific reason has been revealed, sources suggest that, rather than a single big issue, the split was the result of differences that accumulated over time. The couple has two children, born in 2019 and 2023. Under Japan’s new civil law, which took effect earlier this month, they are expected to retain joint parental authority.
Rina Kawaei, originally from Kanagawa, debuted as part of AKB48 after passing the group’s 11th generation audition in 2010. She later transitioned into acting, appearing in works such as the NHK historical drama. Sites where Tsuke and the stage adaptation of The enchanted citywhere she played Chihiro. Tomoki Hirose, born in Saitama, has built his career primarily in 2.5D theater productions, including adaptations such as Yowamushi pedal AND Ace of diamondsas well as various theater and film projects.
Their divorce marks the end of a relationship that began unexpectedly but lasted almost a decade, in which both now focus on their individual paths while continuing to share the responsibilities of parents.
Sources: Daum | Sports Chosun
