According to profiles published by Japanese weekly magazines and outlets including Shukan Bunshun and Weekly Moonchun, the 30-year-old athlete won four international titles before retiring in January 2020. She stated that her post-retirement earnings as a club-affiliated player would have hovered around 200,000 yen (about RM5,280 or $1,300) a month, driving her to enter the digital broadcasting market during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Retirement Realities and Financial Pressures
During her active years on the court, Akane faced significant financial hurdles. Reports detail that she had to personally cover the costs of private training, shuttlecocks, rackets, and string replacements. These expenses deepened her doubts about continuing as an elite athlete. When professional players retire in Japan, they typically transition into working at their club’s affiliated company. However, that traditional path yielded a monthly salary of roughly 200,000 yen, a figure that fell short of her expectations.
“I wanted to make money,” she stated regarding her motivation to launch a second career as an internet broadcaster just two to three months after stepping away from competition.
Launching a Livestreaming Career in Tokyo
Taking advantage of the growth of online streaming during the COVID-19 outbreak, Akane rented a compact flat in Itabashi’s Tobu-Nerima district in Tokyo, where her monthly rent came to 60,000 yen (RM1,600). She took this step despite strong opposition from her family and acquaintances. To safeguard her peace of mind and steer clear of backslash regarding her new path, she cut off access to the social media profiles of former peers and badminton figures she knew from her athletic days.
Starting with nothing but a smartphone, she began broadcasting real-time interactions with viewers who provided donations. Her audience grew rapidly. Today, she maintains 231,000 followers on TikTok and 102,000 followers on Instagram. Her highest monthly earnings from streaming reached 16 million yen, a figure roughly 80 times larger than what she would have earned by staying with her corporate team after retirement.
Deception and Online Hurdles
Her transition was fraught with difficulties. Early in her broadcasting tenure, Akane joined a talent agency and paid approximately 1 million yen (RM26,300) in so-called training center fees. She reported receiving little actual guidance, partly due to COVID-19 complications, and noted that the agency allegedly took 70% of the donations she collected.
“Because I spent my whole life in sports and knew nothing about the ways of the world, I ended up being deceived and suffered heavy losses,” she reflected, adding that she is now far more cautious when approached with business proposals.
She also encountered online criticism regarding her appearance, with some netizens accusing her of undergoing plastic surgery. Akane countered these claims by explaining that she had simply lost 15 kilograms and altered her style, stressing that she never underwent cosmetic surgery or used an AI avatar.
A Lifetime on the Court
Akane’s relationship with badminton began at age 7, following in the footsteps of her mother, who reached the top of the world championships. Standing 176 centimeters tall, Akane competed throughout elementary, middle, and high school, with her life revolving almost entirely around the court. Despite her success, she admitted she never liked the sport or the nature of competition, recalling that she even felt guilty as a child when she defeated an opponent and saw them cry.
Founding an Agency for Retired Athletes
In August, Akane established her own internet broadcaster management agency to assist others navigating life after sports. Drawing on her own experiences, she currently recruits and manages about 10 creators, including fellow former badminton players. Through this venture, she aims to address a longstanding issue in the sports industry: helping retired athletes find viable career paths outside of traditional athletic structures and corporate club teams.
“I want to show former athletes that there are many possibilities beyond their playing careers,” she stated.
Worth a look
