Japan girl pop group member comes out as transmasculine non-binary after breast removal
20-year-old rapper says being born, raised a woman caused her ‘deep discomfort’; hopes operation can ‘shine a light’, divides online opinion
A member of the Japanese girl pop group Xtraordinary Girls (XG) has come out as transmasculine non-binary and revealed that she recently underwent breast removal surgery.
The seven-member idol group has made global waves with their bold blend of hip-hop and R&B, plus retro visuals inspired by Y2K and Harajuku styles.
Since their debut in March 2022, they have gained more than 4.5 million social media followers, with fans praising their “strong female energy” and lyrics.
The youngest member, Kokona Akiyama, known as Cocona, a 20-year-old rapper from Tokyo, once shocked the internet by shaving her head in the WOKE UP music video.
One fan said: “She does not chase a Barbie-doll look to attract fans. XG presents themselves as true artists.”
On December 6, while celebrating her birthday, Cocona came out as transmasculine non-binary on social media.
She revealed that she had undergone a mastectomy earlier this year and shared photographs of her scars.