Ex-soccer player Honda, wife divorce after 6 years of sexless marriage

TOKYO —

The private lives of a former Kashima Antler soccer player and his model wife were recently publicized on a TV variety show. Yumiko Takaoka, 34, who was married to Yasuto Honda, 40, has been described as an “oniyome” or “wife from hell” who refuses to be touched by her husband and locks the door to her bedroom at night.

The last six years of their life together have been sexless, say the tabloids. In fact, Honda was kicked out of their home by Takaoka early this year, and he had been staying at various friends’ houses.

Finally, the two are legally separated. A friend of Takaoka says that Honda was against divorcing in consideration of their daughter. But Takaoka, who has become a frequent guest on TV shows as an “oniyome,” is convinced she can raise her child on her own.

Few realize that Honda helped raise the model’s popularity by acting the part of a submissive husband in public. His former team members and others in the soccer circle had strongly advised him against making such TV appearances, considered a taboo particularly for ex-players who wish to become team managers some day. He continued, though, saying it was what he promised his wife.

As the only soccer player who stayed with Kashima Antlers for 15 years, many had hoped Honda would return to the field one day, but instead he chose his wife over future prospects. And now that he’s been dumped, what’s to become of his career?

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Latest 15 of 77 Total Comments Show All

dracpoo2 at 10:04 AM JST - 25th November

No matter how beautiful this woman is, there is a strong possibility she may have a problem even finding a date in the future. Someone should look in the possibility that she is batting for the other team...just maybe, I say this because 6 years is a looong time to not have sex after having started in the first place, even for Japanese I think. She also needs a mental evaluation. It sounds as if she has some pent up anger against men too.
FineDiner at 08:57 AM JST - 26th November

It is amazing how little sex Japanese couples have. Friends of mine are shocked when I tell them my wife and I do it 2-3 times a week. They say they only do it once a month.
Everton2 at 06:10 AM JST - 27th November

please just give me one shot,i will sort her out, just one shot
anderstungtwist at 06:45 PM JST - 27th November

Well, the sexiest part of the body is the brain so being a model or pro athlete doesn't ensure a good sex life.
Dewaashita at 08:57 PM JST - 29th November

Sexless marriage. Why don't the guys who have these kind of relationships determine plans of action and go on strike? Now is the perfect time to refuse to pay for whatever and blame it on the economy, if you are shy, or concerned about whatever. Wyoming was the first state to allow women to vote and it wasn't by the women being nice. Very nice article in other publication about men's rights and the need for a men's movement. Why put up with a sexless marriage, relationship or whatever.
rafraf128 at 04:41 PM JST - 30th November

i sympathize with honda regarding his wrecked marriage...what a devilish wife he had...he should celebrate with his divorce for finally he's got a chance to find a girl worth spending his life with...honda...ganbare!!!!
Nessie at 04:47 PM JST - 30th November

Honda was kicked out of their home by Takaoka early this year, and he had been staying at various friends’ houses.

Yeah, I bet.
Nessie at 04:48 PM JST - 30th November

Maybe some team could hire his wife as a special trainer for goalkeepers. She certainly has a long string of shutouts to her credit.

I imagine there were plenty of "own goals" on both sides.
Nessie at 04:49 PM JST - 30th November

She's a model so she probably just didn't want her hair mussed.
Altria at 04:55 PM JST - 30th November

I heard every time she touched him he'd dive to the floor and roll around in pain.
yourock at 09:29 PM JST - 30th November

I remember him, a right back I think, and a tough player. 6 years in a sexless marriage, time to move on. I'm sure he's a great father and divorce is no laughing matter. Feel for him. But, after 6 years of no sex, he should have moved on to another woman a long time ago.
bdiego at 06:08 AM JST - 1st December

Children are always the dilemma. I don't think he'd have stuck around 6 years if it weren't for his daughter. Getting a divorce is easy if you have no children and are unhappy. 10x easier if you're a soccer player, even if you're butt ugly. So yeah, he did it for his child. Whom he's never going to see again.

Japan's system of sole custody creates a hostage situation for honest fathers, while rewarding fathers who could care less.
marushka at 07:31 PM JST - 1st December

6 years are needed to realise that something is wrong with your marriage? Didn’t know that Japanese are so slow in realising and admitting their emotions
LoveUSA at 08:15 PM JST - 1st December

Actually Love can exist without sex...
Dewaashita at 11:51 AM JST - 5th December

LoveUSA, I will agree to disagree, but I will do so politely. Love can exist but only for a very brief time. To attempt to do so without sex is not possible. To quote John Cleese "not even with a conjurer and a steel band".