40-Year-Old Erika Sawajiri Spotted Dating A.B.C-Z Member Hashimoto Ryosuke
SingTao · 2 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
Japanese actress Erika Sawajiri (澤尻英龍華), aged 40, has been revealed to be in a romantic relationship with Hashimoto Ryosuke (橋本良亮), a 33-year-old member of the idol group A.B.C-Z. The pair were recently photographed by Japanese tabloid Women Seven on a late-night date in Tokyo's Shibuya district, where they dined at an upscale Italian restaurant before continuing to a bar frequented by celebrities. Sources indicate the couple met while performing together in a stage production, and their relationship has apparently become an open secret among their inner circles .
Key Points
- The couple first connected through the stage play "Pygmalion" (皮格馬利翁－PYGMALION－), which began performances in January 2026, with Sawajiri playing the lead role of Eliza and Hashimoto portraying her admirer Freddy .
- On the night they were photographed, Sawajiri wore a white sundress with a pink hat, and the couple spent approximately two hours at a high-end Italian restaurant before proceeding to a celebrity-frequented bar .
- At approximately 2am, as Sawajiri prepared to leave the bar, Hashimoto was observed gently supporting her waist as she entered a waiting luxury vehicle, displaying public affection .
- According to insiders, Hashimoto has been overheard sharing details of his romance with Sawajiri with acquaintances after drinking, indicating strong feelings for the older actress .
- Both agencies responded diplomatically to media inquiries, with Sawajiri's representative stating personal matters should be left to the individual, while Hashimoto's agency cited privacy .
Why It Matters
This romance adds another chapter to Sawajiri's well-documented romantic history, which includes a high-profile marriage to creative director Takashi Takiguchi from 2009 to 3 and subsequent relationships with younger partners . The age-gap relationship between a major Japanese entertainment figure and an active idol group member is likely to attract significant media attention in both countries, particularly given the cultural sensitivities surrounding idol culture in Japan.