Being gay in Japan...?

[Jarklor]

(Sorry, this is long)
Hello, I am a male, gay highschool student. I've been studying a little Japanese and I dream of going to college in Japan and/or living there. My sensei told me that if I worked hard enough on my 窶愿ｺ窶怒ﾅ津ｪ, I could be an intepreter. The best way to learn (and quite possibly the only way) to become fluent is to live in Japan.
I think Japan is a very interesting place. I can relate more to the students there because I like to work hard but have fun watching anime. Most people at my school are either drugies, trouble makers, sluty, jocks, or hicks. That's why it's nice to be in a place more sanitary. However, there's a problem. I'm worried about the gay scene in Japan.
I heard it is most difficult for lesbians who are natives. However, I'm a male that's a foreigner which makes things at least a little better. Additionally, there are little hate crimes in Japan which is nice. But I'm afraid that they aren't very open about those things. For example, some people have told me that most gay people hide themselves in Japan. This makes me upset because it would be nice to have a gay boyfriend there. Otherwise, my life may feel a little empty. I'm not saying I have to fall in love with someone, though.
I'm just wondering if living in bigger cities would be any different. Does it make it easier or harder if I'm white. Would there be any tourists that are gay and open?
I'm sorry this is long. I'm just curious about the truth of being gay in Japan. If it isn't a good place for a person like me, then I'll try to rethink my future. Thank you for reading this. I know this is hard topic for most people.
窶堋?窶堙ｨ窶堋ｪ窶堙??堋､

 

[Dotanbatan]

I'm not gay and only know one gay person in Japan so I can't answer your questions directly.
I believe that Japan (the big cities at least) have become more understanding of the gay scene in recent years but I'm sure that many more men and women still live in the closet there than in America.

You would probably be better off enquiring on a gay specific site for up to date information.
Gay Japan and Japanese Gay and Lesbian Resources by Utopia Asia 大同

 

[nahadef]

All the city's have a gay scene, but I can't say how out people are. Japan has a little problem of not distinguishing between gays and transsexuals in general. I'm sure those in the scene do a lot.

You could try looking up Kabukicho, which is where Tokyo's boys town is, if I remember correctly. There is also a smallish pride parade in many cities. Plus, there's a solid industry for gay manga (MASSIVE - Gay Manga Goods ? Home). So, I think if you go, as long as you're in the city, you're gonna to get some.

 

[caster55]

 

[Glenski]

My sensei told me that if I worked hard enough on my 日本語, I could be an intepreter.

You're from Wisconsin, and most readers here are not Japanese. There is no reason to use words like sensei or to write in kanji. IMO it just looks a tad silly.

I think Japan is a very interesting place. I can relate more to the students there because I like to work hard but have fun watching anime.

Sorry, but students here don't actually like hard work. Plus, I'm not sure if you even know what kind of work they do.

Most people at my school are either drugies, trouble makers, sluty, jocks, or hicks. That's why it's nice to be in a place more sanitary.

Far fewer drugs here, but what makes you think Japan doesn't have those other types?

However, there's a problem. I'm worried about the gay scene in Japan.
I heard it is most difficult for lesbians who are natives. However, I'm a male that's a foreigner which makes things at least a little better.

Why?

 

[Jarklor]

-------------

 

[Jarklor]

(Sorry, this is long)
Hello, I am a male, gay highschool student. I've been studying a little Japanese and I dream of going to college in Japan and/or living there. My sensei told me that if I worked hard enough on my 日本語, I could be an intepreter. The best way to learn (and quite possibly the only way) to become fluent is to live in Japan.
I think Japan is a very interesting place. I can relate more to the students there because I like to work hard but have fun watching anime. Most people at my school are either drugies, trouble makers, sluty, jocks, or hicks. That's why it's nice to be in a place more sanitary. However, there's a problem. I'm worried about the gay scene in Japan.
I heard it is most difficult for lesbians who are natives. However, I'm a male that's a foreigner which makes things at least a little better. Additionally, there are little hate crimes in Japan which is nice. But I'm afraid that they aren't very open about those things. For example, some people have told me that most gay people hide themselves in Japan. This makes me upset because it would be nice to have a gay boyfriend there. Otherwise, my life may feel a little empty. I'm not saying I have to fall in love with someone, though.
I'm just wondering if living in bigger cities would be any different. Does it make it easier or harder if I'm white. Would there be any tourists that are gay and open?
I'm sorry this is long. I'm just curious about the truth of being gay in Japan. If it isn't a good place for a person like me, then I'll try to rethink my future. Thank you for reading this. I know this is hard topic for most people.
ありがとう

You're from Wisconsin, and most readers here are not Japanese. There is no reason to use words like sensei or to write in kanji. IMO it just looks a tad silly.

Sorry, but students here don't actually like hard work. Plus, I'm not sure if you even know what kind of work they do.


Far fewer drugs here, but what makes you think Japan doesn't have those other types?

Why?

Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.

 

[Glenski]

Your deleted/edited message got sent to me by email, so I can see what you wrote initially. In it, you said that your information is "based on people talking to me about Japan". Ok, but who exactly?

I took the time to respond to some of your points. Would you mind being kind enough to answer my other questions, too, please? It would help everyone here to understand where you are coming from. Thanks.

I don't know a lot about the gay community here. As far as I can tell, it is still largely not "out", but there doesn't seem to be as much of a stigma to it as in the U.S. For example, there are openly gay TV celebrities (talento).

 

[Jarklor]

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[Jarklor]

Your deleted/edited message got sent to me by email, so I can see what you wrote initially. In it, you said that your information is "based on people talking to me about Japan". Ok, but who exactly?

I took the time to respond to some of your points. Would you mind being kind enough to answer my other questions, too, please? It would help everyone here to understand where you are coming from. Thanks.

I don't know a lot about the gay community here. As far as I can tell, it is still largely not "out", but there doesn't seem to be as much of a stigma to it as in the U.S. For example, there are openly gay TV celebrities (talento).

Well, I watch a lot of culture videos on youtube that told me how some kids get bullied who like to study. Japanese people I have talked to told me how it's a little bit more difficult for lesbians to get accepted. But that doesn't means it's easy for men. I really shouldn't be generalizing on little information, though. Sorry.

I was just wondering if there are gay couples in Japan. I knew that it's not really something their open about but maybe there was still a possible chance to find love. It doesn't seem like there is though. I'll just have to figure something out.

 

[Glenski]

Yes, there are gay couples in Japan. Japanese heterosexuals are not that open about displaying affection in public or about talking about their love/sex lives, so I would imagine that gays do it even less openly. Live with that, but you're not going to get arrested for being gay, if that's a fear you have.

Whether you are accepted depends a lot on who you run into, much like in Wisconsin. Japanese students will initially be curious about who you are as an American. They will be shy/embarrassed to try communicating because of the language barrier, but they are definitely curious about many aspects of foreign culture. They just need to be shown that it's ok to make English mistakes when asking about such things.

Only after they can break down that wall will they want to talk about more personal topics...pretty much like anywhere else. Get to know a person a little first, right?

I knew that it's not really something their open about but maybe there was still a possible chance to find love. It doesn't seem like there is though.

Why so negative about this? You are going to have to really realize how Japanese live fairly private lives and not expect them to be as open about their heterosexual or gay lifestyles as in the U.S. Many foreigners (gay and otherwise) live here for years and can't really count many (or any) Japanese friends as being truly close and open. That's life here.

Do a Google search with "gay in Japan" or "gay foreigners in Japan" as the key words, and you'll find a lot of published information.

 

[Jarklor]

Yes, there are gay couples in Japan. Japanese heterosexuals are not that open about displaying affection in public or about talking about their love/sex lives, so I would imagine that gays do it even less openly. Live with that, but you're not going to get arrested for being gay, if that's a fear you have.

Whether you are accepted depends a lot on who you run into, much like in Wisconsin. Japanese students will initially be curious about who you are as an American. They will be shy/embarrassed to try communicating because of the language barrier, but they are definitely curious about many aspects of foreign culture. They just need to be shown that it's ok to make English mistakes when asking about such things.

Only after they can break down that wall will they want to talk about more personal topics...pretty much like anywhere else. Get to know a person a little first, right?

Why so negative about this? You are going to have to really realize how Japanese live fairly private lives and not expect them to be as open about their heterosexual or gay lifestyles as in the U.S. Many foreigners (gay and otherwise) live here for years and can't really count many (or any) Japanese friends as being truly close and open. That's life here.

Do a Google search with "gay in Japan" or "gay foreigners in Japan" as the key words, and you'll find a lot of published information.

Ok, I understand. How do you know about gay life in wisconsin? Have you been there.

I'm very thankful for your information. I'm glad you're willing to talk about this eventhough you're not gay. I'll just have to see Japan for myself someday. It's hard being gay in every country though. However, that's just the way it is.

 

[Glenski]

Ok, I understand. How do you know about gay life in wisconsin? Have you been there.

I don't think I ever wrote that I did know about gay life in WI. Did I ? If I gave you that impression, I'm sorry, but I don't.

However, despite that, I can say that I lived in WI for 3 years. I'm also from MN, your neighbor, for what that's worth.