Pro Golfer Reika Miyako’s Alleged Age-Gap Affair Raises Legal Questions

Reports of frequent overnight stays at her coach’s home

Shūkan Bunshun reported on November 27 that Reika Miyako (21, Daito Kentaku)—a hugely popular female pro golfer known as “Miyakore”—is suspected of having an affair with her coach, Shinobu Ishii, who is 30 years older.

News that this superstar rookie, now in her first year, was allegedly in a romantic relationship with a coach old enough to be her father has shocked the public.

“A source says Miyako frequently stayed overnight at Coach Ishii’s home. What was especially surprising was that the published photos showed her repeatedly reaching toward his crotch while they were walking together, touching his lower body. After that, it appears Coach Ishii reached toward her chest and touched her. It’s unbelievably bold behavior to do something like that on the street, especially for a popular pro golfer and her active coach,” said a women’s magazine reporter.

Coach Ishii has been separated from his wife since around spring 2023 and claims the marriage had already collapsed. He emphasizes that his relationship with Miyako began only after that. Miyako, on the other hand, has closed the comment section on her Instagram following the reports.

“Miyako’s father is about the same age as Coach Ishii. Her family in Tokushima is extremely wealthy, and her father frequently posts photos and articles about his daughter on Instagram and X—he’s clearly very proud of her.

However, Miyako once said in an interview that she wasn’t particularly close to her father. Her father later revealed in a golf magazine interview that he cried when he read that article. It must be complicated for him to see his beloved daughter dating someone his own age,” said a sports newspaper reporter.

While people often assume that for athletes, as long as they perform well, their private-life fouls don’t matter, Miyako passed the pro test in 2024 and signed a sponsorship contract with the major real estate company Daito Kentaku. Several other well-known companies are also her sponsors.

How long does a separation need to last before it is recognized as a marital breakdown?

If she is walking down the street touching the crotch of a coach 30 years older, sponsors will surely be concerned about the image. In the first place, is there any legal issue with engaging in such acts in public? Also, is a relationship during a period of separation considered an affair? Furthermore, what about the possibility of contract termination or penalty fees? This site interviewed attorney Kenta Morizane of Morizane Law Office.

“Regarding public indecency, although the term indecent in the Penal Code is rather abstract, typical examples of indecency involve exposure. So if the touching occurred over clothing, the likelihood of it being judged indecent is low. In civil matters, depending on the contents of the sponsorship contract, if a person engages in behavior that harms the company’s image, the contract may be terminated or penalty fees may arise.

As for the coach, he claims the relationship began after the marriage had already broken down. If the marriage was truly broken down and the relationship started after that, then in principle, compensation for emotional distress cannot be claimed for events that occurred after the breakdown. However, whether the breakdown is recognized is another matter. In cases of separation, a period of roughly three years is generally required.”

A scandal that suddenly became public surrounding a popular golfer. Will the two continue to walk forward together as lovers, and also as coach and student—?