Non-Japanese members of the nation's LGBT community tend to feel less discrimination in expressing themselves freely than their Japanese counterparts, although many complain of a lack of support, problems dating, and difficulties in obtaining a spouse visa.

Whereas Human Rights Watch recently highlighted the problem of bullying of Japanese LGBT students in schools, non-Japanese gay people have an easier time. In particular, this is because the threat of violence is almost nonexistent.

"I've had a mostly positive response from my co-workers about transgender issues," a 33-year-old transgender woman from the United States said by email. She is currently teaching in Japan.