What's it like being LGBTQ+ in Japan?

First interviewee
/ @worldofxtra
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[@takashiifromjapan]

TOKYO GUIDEBOOK takashifromjapan.com/tokyocompleteguide

[@takashiifromjapan]

And if you’re homophonic, please don’t comment here. Just leave and watch another Takashi video!

[@rishav2205]

Ayo, now that's real chad🗿

[@000blackmage000]

homo·phon·ic [hɒməˈfɒnɪk, həʊməˈfɒnɪk] ADJECTIVE Topic: MUSIC characterized by the movement of accompanying parts in the same rhythm as the melody. Often contrasted with polyphonic.

[@amy84667]

Bro do not promote lgbttttq 😅😅😅

[@shohaim]

Mr Takashi there are other more important things to cover.

[@commentarytalk1446]

I'm POLYPHONIC personally speaking !! One of my best friends I made who was Japanese is gay. He lives abroad now, but he was an excellent worker at his company, very good as a friend but he never felt the need to be "exceptional" or "outlandish" in his behaviour or "stand out" in crowds, he accepted being Japanese and creating social harmony. I feel like his attitude was a mature approach to life and living in society amongst others, perhaps that's more common in Japan? Whereas I find the Western LGBTQ+ scene is too political activist and divisive by contrast to another approach taken. There's a lot of "turmoil" and I feel like maybe a more harmonious approach is better for everyone in the end? Maybe the world could learn from Japan in this respect.

[@theo7044]

You’ve gotten better at interviewing over the years Takashi! The questions are great and you look for nuanced answers. Just thought I’d say keep raising the bar!

[@majibento]

The gay bar? 😉

[@Tingletonttu]

It is a noticeable improvement!

[@jimjimgl3]

Another interesting series of interviews. I'm a gay man in the US and have been out for years and years. In NYC I developed a friendship with a Japanese man and the one thing that seemed difficult for me to understand about him was that he never told his family (except for his sister). He moved to the US to be more free and express his gay self but when he visited home or talked to them his personal life was a secret. He even married a man in NYC. My friend died suddenly on a trip back to Japan in 2016. Surprisingly his brother and mother traveled from Japan to NYC for his memorial. When his mother spoke to those gathered you could feel her reticence discussing her son's gay life but also the pain of his keeping this as a secret from her. His brother who seemed a bit conservative (businessman) also told us of his affection for his late brother. The way the spoke about my friend and their son and brother was raw and actually I had to leave the memorial service at this point because I was overcome with emotion.

[@j23305]

Wow, what an incredibly moving story. Thanks for sharing.

[@loveandfaithfulness4479]

Satan, also called the adversary or the devil, is the enemy of all righteousness and of those who seek to follow God. he and his followers try to lead us away from righteousness. he has many schemes to mislead and turn man from God. satan attempts to undermine us by confusing gender, promoting sexual relations outside of marriage, ridiculing marriage, and discouraging childbearing by married adults who would otherwise raise children in righteousness. The Bible condemns any form of sexual act that is considered “worthless” in God's eyes. homosexuality, beastiality, fornication, and adultery. They say it is all love and everything, but really there is no true love, they are just looking for lust. God made man & woman as a perfect couple to be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth. This was given by God not freely chosen. Going against His image & His design is going against Him. We aren't here to change the word of God the word of God is here to change us, What are the actual "fruits"-the results-of the homosexual lifestyle? Can't naturally have biological kids, Diseases, Suffering, Unfulfillment, Nothingness! homosexual activity leads to a host of serious transmitted diseases (STDs) HIV, fatal transmitted Infections, and physical health problems, mental health problems, major depression, anxiety, substance abuse and greater risk of suicidal and a greatly shortened lifespan and the suffering list goes on. Why are there so many diseases? Why such young deaths? It has to do with the sexual practices. It goes against how God created bodies to work. And when you violate God’s design, there are always consequences. same-sex attraction is always an expression of the fallen nature. But if you Repent now, God forgiveness starts the process and His power continues to work in us, when we say yes to Him. But when we fail to listen to God, then problems, affliction and suffering will be the consequence of disobedience. I say this lovingly and to say truth in love is to love one another. Do not value your homosexuality Sin more than you value God. The only hope for the homosexual and all people who break God's laws is to turn to Christ. If we want to walk with Christ we must repent and reject our fleshly desires and deny ourselves. God can save you from that horrible life and community. God promises the strength for Victory over sin, including homosexuality, to all those who will believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation.

[@abdallah_O]

God sees that

[@niavellir7408]

I live in the southern US and I have never came out to my family either, ita crazy how you in NYC is so different than me in Georgia and we are the same country

[@giovannaccoral]

I'm so sorry for your loss I feel glad that he was at least able to experience his gay life in nyc for some time and love others. he had the environment and friends to be genuine even if for a time

[@OneRadicalDreamer]

The best LGBTQ representation in Japan is that long long man commercial series

[@samuraijosh1595]

Honestly the best man💀😭😭

[@AceWolf777]

Loong, LOOONG, MAAAAAAANN !!! *saxophone music 🎷 😂

[@CChissel]

Probably the best advertisement to exist, it’s got a compelling story, comedy, and most important of all, love regardless of sex or gender.

[@ImGonnaFudgeThatFish]

On one hand I guess you're right, on the other hand it is played for laughs

[@jamestays8416]

That commercial series made my entire family crack up. My father-in-law ordered the stuff and it tasted alright.

[@henrychew235]

Really great that you are willing to do this video and help put more awareness on LGBTQ in Japan.

[@elgatofelix8917]

The only awareness of them we need is what they do to children and the devastating impact it has on their families and future generations.

[@hithere5854]

@@elgatofelix8917would you care to provide any proof of this

[@osen3182]

​@@elgatofelix8917true

[@jamesk8s1]

I actually have a colleague who was born and raised in Russia, she is older than I, and she told me totally serious and straight faced "We don't have any gays in Russia"....and when I said "there are gay people in every country", her tone became irritated and she said more emphatically "NO! we have no gays in Russia". How did I end up on this planet of the apes! Just unbelievably small tiny un-evolved minds. great video, thank you! 🙆🏻‍♀

[@osen3182]

😂😂😂 she was right if you are gay keep it for yourself

[@loopyfrog]

Thank you for talking to LGBTQ in Japan! And thank you to the brave Japanese for speaking openly even when it's still not easy

[@justavideodiary]

Gosh, isn't it just crazy that all these lovely people have to still take into account not being killed or seriously beaten just for being themselves when they travel or move to another place? One day, I hope we all just accept each other. 💓

[@ImGonnaFudgeThatFish]

The kind words are appreciated but progress is made with action and not hoping, and the younger generation of Japan has a vastly falling interest in politics which means the change they'd be ok with happening is going to be really delayed

[@Guirko]

@@ImGonnaFudgeThatFish I understand what you're saying but we can't presume to put too much of that responsibility on others, there's only so much they can do. We shouldn't take for granted how tolerant and sympathetic the vast majority of people already are, lest we give people a reason to hate us.

[@hello-im]

If you dont cause trouble then there is no problem but once you force your ideal to someone that is a problem f u.

[@dangrth]

The problem is that you just need a single idiot to bet insulted, beaten or even killed. Like 99,99% of the people could be open-minded, but you're still at risk from the 0,01%. Like I live in a country where I think most of the people are reasonable tolerant - but a minority of intolerant people can still represent a huge problem if they can act on their intolerance. So yes, I guess that a country were a lot of people are intolerant yet where a very rigid social norm very strongly discourages violence or even showing hostility can feel safer than a more tolerant country with with a more violent social norm. Even if it is sad.

[@itsneonoir3801]

@@hello-im Exactly. I just hate it when people do this and harass gay people. Like let them live istg. Stop forcing your ideals on the community!

[@sheershchaturvedi4534]

You are documenting history through these interviews in general. Keep up the great work!!!

[@sakamotoph]

I appreciate very much that Takashi is also offering his perspective as a Japanese person, albeit very open-minded, sort of inside looking out. Maybe it is only for topics like this, but more than these being interviews, they become conversations.

[@feylights166]

Thank you for this video. This is a topic that has interested me for years, and I've studied it a bit. I read a lot of BL, but I wanted to learn more about LGBTQ issues in Japan (both historically and current). Pre-Meiji, Japan was more accepting of homosexuality, but then there was a shift. As the interviewees said, there are not a lot of hate crimes against sexual minorities, but there is "quiet" discrimination, like in the work place, or school bullying. Many Japanese don't realize how many sexual minorities are around them. They see them on TV and in movies (BL is popular), but they don't necessarily realize they could know people who are a sexual minority, because many don't come out.

[@vercoda9997]

There's also the same (global) issue of just seeing the same 'type' of gay people, either in the media, or as characters in shows, which reinforces expectations of what LGBT+ are, and are 'supposed' to look and act like. I'm sure that's the same in Japan, too - it's also a self-enforced thing by many LGBT+ people and businesses, where LGBT+ people who don't fit in to the usual definitions - or who may seem to be Very Straight, regardless of their sexuality - can also be excluded. I probably look like a geography teacher, or maybe a college lecturer - the gay guys here seem very different to me, not because they're Japanese, but more that they're confirming more to international standards of LGBT+ appearance etc. An interesting issue.

[@shiningskies47]

I think Japan definitely benefits from not practicing Abrahamic religions

[@leahflower9924]

You are so right and they kicked out Christian missionaries back in the day

[@valeria-militiamessalina5672]

Yes, Buddhism is more tolerant when it comes to that, the doctrine of "sin" does not hold much or as much value, the focus is elsewhere.

[@musiqal333]

That's exactly what I was thinking. If the culture was deep into abrahamic faiths, the taboo against homosexuality would be more overt and fierce.

[@kaym7704]

So true, having to deal with people who “choose” to be religious is such a pain.

[@DoNotForget45180]

What is that?

[@ropesanddragoneggs8494]

As a queer woman, as long as there are no backwards laws targeting people like me, I still want to visit. I live in the US and there are laws that are being passed in a number of states targeting women and the LGBTQ+ community. Our government is going backwards. I hope it doesn't happen in Japan...

[@dionabeck3317]

I will say this, i lived in Japan for two years. Now there are no laws against The LGBTQ+, and they are really chill with the LGBTQ+ there, as in more accepting and not being harassed. However, their society is still traditional in the ways of gender norms and diversity. You would be more judged on you being foreign than you being LGBTQ+. But there, i will say that Japan is super great with letting you express yourself easily, which is a plus.

[@theviewer6889]

@@dionabeck3317 That isn't 100% true. LGBT people don't have anti discrimination protections in housing or the workplace, and trans people are required to undergo sterilisation, have had full srs surgery done, and not have any children who are under 20 in order to change their gender marker on legal doccuments (which is real messed up). If you're just travelling for a visit then those laws obviously won't affect you, but "there are no laws against LGBTQ+" isn't true.

[@dionabeck3317]

@@Netsirk96 aaaahh, now that i didn't know, but it does make sense, since they still have the gender traditions still strong. However, i believe that Japan is starting to change and grow.

[@ropesanddragoneggs8494]

@@Netsirk96 I mean, you COULD play the system lol I am not trans, nor am I under 20 or want kids, but I understand that being trans is hard enough. I can't imagine how frustrating those hoops must be if you want those things.

[@Foxy-gw3np]

Hi Eggs They are not backwards in Japan, just a more disciplined type of people. You should have no problems over there unless you, not you in the real sense, go looking for something that may or may not be there. Hope that helps with your query.

[@tokyo-wt7fq]

Don't forget that Oda-Nobunaga and many other Sengoku Warlord were bisexual, it became taboo after Christianity came to Japan.

[@KitArch]

Basically, like Greeks I think!

[@月明-i4y]

You mean pederasty. Also christianity was weak in sengoku/edo Japan, especially after the inquisition by Tokugawa Iemitsu. No need to blame christianity.

[@erenjinchuriki]

People really do love to blame Christianity. You do know that they were a persecuted group in feudal Japan and never became a majority even into the Meiji period.

[@ajdoshka]

@@月明-i4ythey will always blame christianity and islam for their own wrongdoings if shinzo abe was assassinated in the west people would blame it on a muslim

[@princessarellano6752]

i need more stan interviews!! so well-spoken

[@MixedRogueKhorri]

Omg you interviewed Stan 😂😂😂😂😂this is so cute

[@JJJ-bx4ky]

Shinjuku 2-chome in Japan is the world's largest gay town.

[@takashiifromjapan]

I gotta check it out, never been there yet

[@thepatriot47]

​@@takashiifromjapan 🤨

[@TheZakana]

Really! I definitely need to check it out then!

[@taylordisthemusicindustry]

​@@takashiifromjapanhelp 😭😭😭

[@ravendizon801]

Wow love to visit soon

[@quack-orange]

I love your videos, it shows normal people and their experiences with living in Japan.

[@AceKingz15]

I would not mind if there was a part 2 of this video, keep up the good work Takashii!

[@あかさたな-y8i]

It's interesting even as a Japanese to watch some stuffs like that.

[@2Boios]

kimo! w

[@bazhousecat]

Great video, mate :) Will be visiting Tokyo in August with my husband, so will be interesting to see how people react to our Gaijin way of life 😂 Quite sad to hear that so many people still feel the need to stay in the closet there, particularly with family and colleagues. Hopefully things change. Representation (such as this video) are so important for progress 😊

[@Ghaida946]

They feel that they are in the closet because they know that this thing is wrong but you do not want integrity but you want deviation homosexuality is forbidden True love between male and prose

[@RandyOm]

If you have not done a video about this yet, perhaps you would ask Japanese people if they are religious or spiritual?

[@T0MIEtomieT0MIE03]

THAT MAN IS ALMOST 40??! Holy I thought he was like 19-23

[@jonahsahn]

Thanks for this video Takashii!

[@eliascsjunior]

Amazing video Takashi! I would watch some other interviewees for hours. 🤗

[@studioghiblets958]

Thank you for doing this! I want to live in japan for some amount of time and I'm glad the atmosphere is kinda neutral (at least compared to the us currently). idc if people don't like me or think I'm gross, but it's nice to know I won't be beat up or worse just for existing. Thanks for spreading visibility too!! Have a good one!

[@zaynes5094]

@studioghiblets958 There was a guy who got 6 years behind bars for discrimination against the girlfriend of his daughter and he just didn't really like his daughter being "like that" but he really hated this one girl. Long story short, after some arguments and words thrown around, a physical confrontation was had between them and threw her to the ground and kicked her a few times. She wasn't hurting anyone by being that way. Or trying to love his kid. He just resented her and was a homophobe who resorted to violence. He got 6 years for that and his own daughter wasn't even mad about it. She said she loathed him for the situation he put their families in all because of a dispute he had with her girlfriend who he hated.

[@jaspberry522]

Thx so much for doing this!

[@LouisTheAlligator14]

Here are the top 5 most lgbtq friendly countries in Asia 1. Taiwan 🇹🇼 2. Nepal 🇳🇵 3. Israel 🇮🇱 4. Japan 🇯🇵 5. Philippines 🇵🇭 And the top 5 least lgbtq friendly in Asia 1. Afghanistan 🇦🇫 2. Iran 🇮🇷 3. Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 4. Yemen 🇾🇪 5. Qatar 🇶🇦

[@LouisTheAlligator14]

Reasons: Taiwan 🇹🇼- 1st country in Asia to allow lgbtq marriage Nepal 🇳🇵- Allows lgbtq marriage Israel 🇮🇱- Legal guardianship and acceptance Japan 🇯🇵- Legal guardianship and tolerance Philippines 🇵🇭- overall tolerance Afghanistan 🇦🇫- Death penalty Iran 🇮🇷- less enforced death penalty Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 - Death penalty but not enforced/prison Yemen 🇾🇪- no tolerance / prison Qatar 🇶🇦- less tolerance / prison

[@elgatofelix8917]

Israel should be at the top of that list. It's just one of many reasons why they are so despised and rightly so.

[@MsBrooklyn11232]

Congratulations on making it to more than 900,000 subscribers! I predict that you will get to 1 million subscribers by the end of this month! 🤞🏾I like your videos and keep up the good work!

[@emmanuelfuenmayor5056]

Japanese people are not against lgbt people in particular, they’re against anyone who is different to them. As being gay is a sexual minority, therefore there different, automatically they get rejected. This rejection won’t be active as they don’t insult, threat or attack physically, but they do have a passive rejection.

[@ohmyugotthis3926]

Thank you so much for this video! And thank you for talking about this! Also i like how you interviewed Stan and after his brother. idk if it was it was planed but either way it was funny

[@laurieannegagnon]

It's cool that japanese people are not violent towards queer people, but like isn't it sad that our standards are so low. Like that should never be a fear anywhere, but sadly I know it is...

[@elgatofelix8917]

You have no idea what's cool and what isn't.

[@laurieannegagnon]

@@elgatofelix8917 okay?

[@Lucasyoshidaaa]

my jaw D R O P P E D when the guy was almost in his 40s

[@cerka27]

Thanks for this video. I’m gay and I’ll be in Japan next week. I’m glad someone said to visit Nichome. I looked it up and I’m definitely checking it out.

[@sedact]

How in the hell the dude in yellow jacket is 40

[@maurob13]

Miracle anti aging. Thought he was 25ish.

[@amandachaves9527]

Sometimes breaking down cultural barriers is as easy as just going outside, being nice to people and asking questions. I like what you're doing. Thank you !!

[@MrYowen88]

Thanks Takashi, good video! I would like to see you do more videos on this topic as well. 🙏

[@raches4264]

Great video, Takashi. Thank you!

[@mafuyu1380]

Gay people are fine and perfect,I love you all❤

[@elgatofelix8917]

Nobody is perfect. Especially you and your child obsessed buttbuddies

[@CherryBerry-bm2wx]

​@@elgatofelix8917bro can't see anything that isn't about him 🤷🏻‍♀️ grow up or do your homework and stop bothering people

[@alexdesousa7966]

It's great to see a video about LGBTQ people in Japan and I'm happy to see that society is evolving its attitude towards such minority. Though it still has to go a lot further I'm glad to see it is evolving. Keep pushing it guys and a message to the guy who's concerned about not getting a promotion at work, an advice, if you decide to be yourself and find out that you didn't get your promotion because you're gay, then take your company to court otherwise things will never change. Be courageous and stand up for your community.

[@jacquelinerdaley9837]

Thank you, very helpful & informative 👍

[@Celeste77789]

Thank you Takashi-san ❤ Enjoyed watching the interview 😊 God bless 🙏🏻 and take care

[@jaesahichannel6410]

Omg STAANNN! ♥️

[@jaesahichannel6410]

@@excripto1 hmm he is a vlogger in japan. I mean influencer 🤧

[@jaesahichannel6410]

@@excripto1 @worldofxtra

[@glennjohnson6629]

Very interesting video. Love your channel. I spent a short time in Tokyo a few years ago, and looking back, I don't think I saw a single person who stood out to me as openly gay. I assumed it was because standing out did not appear to be what people were interested in. I hope to go back and spend more time there to get a more informed opinion. Just like most of the interviewees said in this video, I found Japan to be absolutely safe, even at night. Coming from America, that was a very refreshing experience and one of the most attractive features of the country.

[@fionawallace8847]

Thank you so much for this!

[@zakuraiyadesu]

Love the videos, man. Keep it up!!!

[@pepoCD]

kinda surprised to see that disike ratio. but then again, when you live in western europe, it's easy to forget that people outside the west are often decades behind in social progress on certain topics. cool video as always takashii!

[@Sauce787]

It seems like a lot of the homophobes in the comments aren't Japanese

[@pimp4984]

True, but I feel like his fanbase here are more accepting and progressive. Some KZbin channel’s are filled with homophobes

[@quicksilver3687]

Well, some people don’t see it as « progress »

[@KitArch]

@@quicksilver3687 well, then 'some people' should live their life and take care of themselves and not what others people do.

[@misterJ420]

@@quicksilver3687 how can anybody regard bumfucking as evolutionary progress of any kind ?

[@lvvteyy]

omg stan stan!

[@47Mad]

Lol

[@dnejsjdjnd]

But in Japan, they can hold a queer parade in Tokyo, right? In Korea, we may not be able to see the queer parade in Seoul anymore. Seoul City Hall has banned queer parades. Maybe we can't completely hold a queer parade in Korea from now on. yes..This is South Korea!

[@lc6636]

Japan is more of a gathering. Countries are banning them because they want to teach kids about queer stuff. They did it to themselves.

[@asterling4383]

I was actually there that day at the Rainbow Pride! It was beautiful and I wish I could have actually met you! Being a black LGBT foreigner I loved it there, always felt safe and Ni Chome was like a home away from home. I met so many awesome people. Thank you Takashii for this interview.❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@cyoc]

😂😂😂👎

[@armored_gorilla]

Thank you for this. LGBTQ people deserve to be able to live freely just as any other individual

[@Keeki549]

Nope

[@EuphemineYuki]

@@Keeki549 ??

[@epiclexi1234]

@@Keeki549 you're wasting your time😂

[@armored_gorilla]

@@Keeki549 seethe

[@sgsrider00]

@@Keeki549 simpleton detected

[@ladysensei1487]

Great work. Important work you are doing.

[@sleepysartorialist]

This was really interesting. The reality is my wife and I were considering moving to Japan but that anti Gay Marriage thing really put us off. I don't want to pay taxes somewhere that locals can't get married but my marriage is ok. That seems messed up.

[@ericbilly]

9:19 his face when he says there's "subtle bullying" in schools LOL

[@24framedavinci39]

Great. My generation of gays fought so hard to be just seen as normal people. Now zoomers are like, "yeah, just segregate yourselves." Nah. I'm cool. I won't force anybody to accept me, but I won't hide in a corner either. Sad state we're in.

[@ilovetakis1011]

THAT GUY IS 40?!??!?! WHAT

[@gnarrcan108]

The craziest thing about Japan is that modern Japan is such a low crime very superficially polite tolerant society but for hundreds of years they were one of the most war like societies ever.

[@milo6310]

the guy from el salvador omg, i never thought i'd see someone from my country in japan haha and lgbtq, makes me super happy. 🥰🏳‍🌈

[@milo6310]

and he looks so cool! love the outfit

[@Redstar17846]

ValAllah azim You're gayyyyyyyy gayyy📿😂

[@LouTheLoo]

This is such a good topic to cover! いつも良いビデオ作ってますよね！もうしかしたら、次のビデオが日本の田舎に住む外人がインタビューしますか？よろしく！

[@takashiifromjapan]

Planning to go to countryside for the video!

[@Ikkk_]

@LouTheLoo Hello..are you Japanese?i want to know something about japan..can i ask you?🙄

[@LouTheLoo]

I am not Japanese but I do speak, read and write it as I did my BA degree in Japanstudies. @@Ikkk_

[@The_official_jaijai]

STAN STANSSSS!!!!!!

[@Justmebeee]

The Japanese Puerto Rican guy was so gorgeous 😍🫠 And the other guy “I’m almost 40” I was so shocked! I literally yell “whattttt ?! No way! I need his secret!”

[@nonbinarymetv]

I don't think this is at all representative of "What's it like to being LGBTQ+ in Japan." You should talk with Japanese people about this. I think their responses would be entirely different and reflect more of what it is truly like to be Queer here. Foreign resident experiences are not Japanese experiences, as you well know (I think sometimes your videos are rather intentionally misrepresentative and purposefully, but needlessly controversial when engaging topics about foreign residents). You should talk with Japanese queer business people, easily found at Pride, or other Japanese groups, also easily found at Pride. With little effort you could have talked to many Japanese to answer this question, but you seem to have intentionally limited your scope to foreign individuals. Again, because it is likely better PR for your channel than the value of answering the actual question you posed here. I have done a lot of work in inclusion and workplace policies for LGBTQIA+ people in Japan and across Asia. Japan is an entirely different experience for the region. It is more tolerant in some ways, also less violent. That said, there are significant issues and barriers here. I encourage you to talk to Japanese people about this topic. It is easy. Reach out to any of the hundreds of Japanese run and facing organizations supporting LGBTQIA+ communities all across Japan. If you want a truthful and impactful video. Or retitle this video to "What is is like being a foreign LBTQIA+ person in Japan."

[@gokberkuzel7761]

Before the emulation of western culture Japan was pretty much gay and was okay eith hetero/homosexuality. But when Japan did not want to end up like china and india and try to imitate western cultures the problem began. When they talk bout homosexuality about being a foreigner thing is a mere example of a nation being unaware of it’s obvious history.

[@emmiii-ir3qe]

I visited Osaka a few weeks ago.. As I entered a book store I was shocked too see a promotional movie trailer playing on repeat. A clip of the two male leads having a full on make out session. Made me think Japan wasn't as conservative as I thought 🤔

[@davidfrankson4715]

I'm a 75 years old gay man from USA. Would love to come to Japan. Seeking any friendship first.

[@hiss9989]

WTF HOW IS THAT GUY ALMOST IN HIS 40S???? HE LOOKS 19!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@DDRWakaLaka]

i feel like being gay in the japanese workplace would be a bonus overall. less risk of office romances and (probably) no kids to have to worry about

[@ecivon5314]

I saw the short with the first guy and got so much pinoy vibes 😭😭 potek pinoy nga sya hahahaha

[@katjaeye]

I love your interviews! You never discriminate or judge people, thank you💕

[@bryanwang331]

Thank you for making this video! It makes me feel a bit less worried if I visit Japan

[@neutralactor2289]

Except for the "outliers" like the elderly and homophobes, most Japanese (and I'm sure many others as well) would think "I don't give a shit". I consider this to be a stand-alone coexistence without superiority or inferiority, which can be taken as tolerance or acceptance, arising from indifference.

[@topi2209]

pride needs to grow so big that its the most important thing in society! all should be gay

[@Wonderhoy-er]

I'm not homophobic but that is one of the most stupidest things I've heard 😂

[@mjuneoginn]

As a gay Filipino who is both gay and into anime; beyond the hope and wish ( in the event I am able to go to Japan both as a tourist and an immigrant aspirant) that the Japanese People and their culture would be more respectful, humane, open and all-inclusive towards the LGBTQIA+ People and Community- I also hope that there are other places in Japan aside from Nichōme Tokyo that is a safe yet open haven for LGBTQIA+ people...

[@militisg.3942]

His outfit is cute!

[@AaronAimee2015]

Jesus Loves you and wants you to be saved from hell. Please don’t be one of those that will realize how wrong they were about the existense of God only after they are dead. Have you ever wondered the real reason why you dont believe in God? Or is there an underlying hurt/ dissapointments or prayers that were never answered? Please let me know, i sincerely want to know why you insist that God does not exist. God Loves you, but not the sin in you. After all you are his creation. The same way you would love your child but not love their tantrums/ behaviour.

[@reginabuentell0]

It would’ve been nice to hear more japanese women and locals in general to actually see what being lgbtq+ as a japanese person is like. But I understand if they were a little bit more reserved and didn’t want to give out an interview that could out them on the internet to coworkers, family members etc. It’s a shame though :(

[@OprechtLetterlijkBizar]

How come some of these guys have American accents though they didn’t mention they lived in the US?

[@LawnOfCorn]

because you can change and learn accents lol. The first guy, Stan, and his brother Stewart who showed up later in the video are youtubers as well so they may have found they reach a larger audience with a more american accent.

[@flunkiebubs2002]

They probably learned English from Americans, people who learn new languages tend to adopt the accent of the person who taught them.

[@WilliamSu-i1b]

Imports tryna enforce foreign interests

[@hockypockies]

i'm pansexual and a transgender woman (still in america) i've always had an interest in japan so i may go there in the future but i'm not entirely sure how transitioning and gender works there happy for these people who have come out mostly though!

[@AttackOnTitanlover1999]

Japan are very excepting to LGBT people but some of the things they do there is still back, works in the workforce transgender or not you have to wear traditional male and female clothing regardless of your sexuality and if you’re gay or straight or whatever you got to keep it to yourself basically but outside of words, you can pretty much do what you want

[@hockypockies]

@@AttackOnTitanlover1999 i see. i don't see why a transwoman wouldn't be able to use feminine work clothes though, especially after transitioning

[@CiCLoDoL]

Yo, Takashi-San. Can you do Rasengan?

[@mōri_-3v3]

"HI STAN STANS MY NAME IS STAN. WELCOME BACK TO THE WORLD OF XTRA" "and my name is stewie"

[@StephEatsnTravels]

We stan Stan!

[@ryanwall1470]

Wait the guy at the end said he was almost 40!? He looks like early 20s!

[@Jeremy-lq4ii]

Japanese people are so cool

[@Marti.M1]

Thank you for the video Takashi-san! 🤍

[@santiagovillavicencio8073]

thanks for the report. It was a very good journalistic report.

[@derricklangford4725]

That is the calmest Gay Pride 🏳️‍🌈 I've ever seen in my life, I'm in Chicago and I can say that probably since 2007 are Pride Parade turns into a ratchet mess the later it gets.

[@inkmage4084]

Which is part of why gays in the West have such negative views. The trash is put upfront in people's faces.

[@soritic]

STAN!!!!!

[@Unan1mouz]

That half Japanese half Puerto Rican guy is gorgeous... Damn

[@avann2006]

Interestingly, one of the most famous Japanese actors in the US is openly gay! George Takei!

[@Moira_Gloucestershire]

thank you it was very enjoyable

[@blackamericanlesbianprofes4357]

There are around like ten or thirteen U.S. States (out of 50+ States) that accept LGBTQ+ marriage. Each State has its own Government, which many don't accept. The U.S. Federal Government has a law of accepting any LGBTQ+ marriages even if the individual State you live in doesn't accept. So learn about what States accept and what States don't accept. Thank you for sharing the few interviews in this video. 14may23

[@usedtobemyself]

"Im almost in my 40s" I nearly fell of my chair. SIR YOU COULD BE 20

[@Unan1mouz]

I wish I look that youthful when I almost reach 40! LOL

[@xdani_thethinkingneko]

I literally screamed "he's in his forties!?!" I was shocked. I thought he was around my age or younger (I'm 27) They're both so adorable too.

[@haku0103]

WHAAAAT??

[@gen8187]

Don't worry. Even from a Japanese perspective, I was amazed by his youthful appearance.

[@melodymel6771]

I was like WHAAAAATTTTTTT???!!!!

[@iMuzik3]

"Hi, Stan stans, my name is Stan. Welcome to the Worldofxtra." 😂 Love seeing the representation, Takashii! Thank you!

[@ryosato8681]

ay ay ay im your little butterfly ay ay ay

[@tralala3997]

​@@ryosato8681how are you!🤣

[@wolfgangchen7287]

Stewie is in the video too omgggg

[@moonstar8509]

Giiirl I was looking for that comment 😂😂😂

[@soju81]

"I'm almost in my 40's." I can't believe that. He looks so young.

[@mistersuremusic]

yeah, was fully expecting him to say he was in university

[@queenrose2009]

Ikr! He looks like he's in his 20s!

[@Leitefsj]

I'd say he's 18 or something.

[@lolomar]

right, he looks 18-22

[@queergoose]

Goddamn vampires

[@brauliofernandesss]

It was tough living 3 years in Japan as a gay man. The good side is you will not be beaten to de@t4, but you also have to live in the shadows. I tried socializing with LGBTQ+ people in a small city (Tsukuba, not THAT small), but it felt like we were criminals, always hiding. And the workplace is not really supportive of any kind of deviation from the norm. Add to that psychological and psychiatric help in Japan is really inefficient, and that discrimination is tolerated in private companies, like hotels, restaurants and so on. Su1c1d3s are common, almost encouraged, and I lost friends in Japan to that. It is devastating. Japan is clean, safe, beautiful, it could be a country of prosperity. Unfortunately people work to exhaustion, there are no vacations (just on paper), and being a woman, black, gay or foreigner will only make life harder.

[@ali8922]

thank you for your insight. if you don't mind me asking, when did you live in japan and where are you from or living now in comparison?

[@tojihive]

thank u for sharing ❤

[@ando1135]

theres gay community in tsukuba? i only ask because im in Ibaraki

[@KosOrSomeSayKosmo]

Very similar to my experience in Korea.

[@chrislisenby2681]

I don't understand the whole not having holidays when they are mandated by law.

[@maadvillain]

To be honest you should’ve interviewed more of locals that are lgbtq rather than people who are abroad or visiting it would’ve give people watching an idea of what the people that actually live there feel

[@ryokohonda4619]

The first gay is Japanese and grew up in Japan

[@epiclexi1234]

@@ryokohonda4619 yea he has a youtube channel, his brother also grew up there since age 12. Also, I believe the last two men were also born, raised, and still live in Japan. it's harder to find born and raised Japanese people who are sexual minorities because, as they mentioned, majority of them do not come out or let their sexuality be known. they most likely wouldn't be going to a pride parade if they aren't out.

[@CarolS1008]

I think he wanted to interview people from different backgrounds to see if they had experienced something different. Whether there is a different with you being a woman, a male, or Japanese or foreign. Also, maybe it´s not easy for some Japanese people to accept an interview about this topic since a lot of them are in the closet at work and with their families.

[@mihi359]

Japanese people wouldn’t want to talk about their sexuality like that because their jobs

[@maadvillain]

@@mihi359 that makes sense, that was my guest as to why there weren’t many people interviewed and I don’t blame them for not wanting to

[@matthieua.4298]

2:50 Honestly for having watched some japanese BL stuff, it really feels more like a fetish or a hyper-romanticized view of that rather than actual representation. I've never felt represented in any "LGBT" japanese media I've watched, even the stuff who took it seriously felt like representation from the 70-90s with all the shame and hiding of that period. And even so, it really works like a niche. It's never represented like a normal thing in mainstream media.

[@lekntakfs1071]

That kinda sucks, good representation is really scarce and in a really niche works.

[@salutiesse]

yh agreed, I first saw BLs about 5 yrs ago, and that's the genre, by and large I think. Thailand's stretching away from the unrealistic relationship aspect, and Korea too to a lesser degree, but I still think it's the Chinese that do it the best- certainly before censorship, and they are certainly good at portraying subtle hints of love throughout their censored adaptations- tbh they're way more realistic and soulful to me than any BL- probs because they don't belong to a genre that largely focusses on gay being your identity in its entirety (with a few exceptions), with nothing else besides this. I am glad that the genre is present though, as a good series really gets you smiling and crying!!

[@louleloup2607]

You should try to read or watch yuri (female lgbt japanese romance), it is most often written by queer women in a non-fetichistic way.

[@MegaRekless]

BL is rarely made for genuine gay representation. As you said it is mostly for a fetishizing audience, in the same way a lot of yaoi is made for straight women more than gay men. It is changing for the better though slowly. It is difficult to find good writers of queer relationships in books or erotic material. But I have had good luck with webcomics so I suggest those, same with graphic novels and comics.

[@qqqqqfd]

​@@louleloup2607what is queer?

[@focotaku]

Like they said, Japan is very safe & there’s usually no violence. In 12 years living in Tokyo (& Saitama & Kanagawa) as a gay man, I never had any problems in the streets. In contrast, I went back to Barcelona, my home town, for a few days & I some people started to shout at me & my bf, & we weren’t even holding hands. Barcelona is supposedly a very open city, but violent people and homophobes are also very vocal. I never saw that in Japan. On the other hand, I had some problems at work. Like they said, most bi & gay men are in the closet. But when they drink they use the excuse of alcohol to approach you. One senpai at work touched my groin during a work nomikai & he grab my arm, trying to force me to touch his groin. I pushed him, and everyone excused him because he was drank 😤 But it wasn’t the first time (「大丈夫、大丈夫、彼は飲むとホモるから」😳) and apparently everyone was OK with that. I would prefer that they were open & they asked me out normally, not trying to force me like that. That’s the only bad experience I’ve had in Japan, though. My bf is Japanese & we’ve been together for 13 years so there are many nice people too (we left Japan, though… We are getting married soon 🎉 Not possible in Japan yet… )

[@thepatriot47]

Congratulations 🎉 in advance

[@kentozapater8972]

weird because Spain's a pretty safe country in terms of lgbt

[@justavideodiary]

Congrats on such a long term relationship! Hope you have many years to come! 💞

[@pimp4984]

That’s good for you! I wonder how it will be in the countryside in Japan… Maybe not so accepting

[@lavendersweetgrass8409]

Congratulations 🌸

[@arlwav]

11:04 there is no way this guy is 40+ .... skincare legend

[@ryokohonda4619]

Japan is one of the countries with people of long life spun because they live a healthy lifestyle

[@dickidsrip5262]

I though he was like 24. Very much a skincare ledgend

[@TravelingGunn]

I said the same thing

[@franko8572]

He moisturizes his face with ball butter cream daily. Very good for the skin, or so I tell my wife. 🤔

[@DiamondFlame45]

Right? Drop the skincare routine sis lol

[@takashiifromjapan]

Thank you so much for watching! Only 90k to 1M subs, What should I do when I hit a million?

[@Pislik870]

Can u ask people on the street to do the thug shaker preferably oiled

[@thebigone6071]

You need to come visit us in the hood Takashii!!!

[@chaiteasheet1102]

Probably enjoy a well deserved break

[@huinbru9809]

You could "interview" yourself and tell us about your life, how you came to do interviews and how YOU view your country. For example respond to every question you have made a video about with your perspective. Or a simple AMA. What do you think?

[@ShepherdessAnne]

I have been waiting with held breath for this video, I am writing a book and this information was a critical clue to help my rough draft with its beginning realism.