With the eyes of the world on Japan during the Tokyo Olympics, Gon Matsunaka, head of the country's first permanent LGBTQ community center, is hoping the games will prove a catalyst in fostering a society in which discrimination is no longer accepted and diversity is embraced.

Matsunaka, who has dedicated himself to improving the rights of sexual minorities, has personally experienced the anxiety and difficulties commonly confronted by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning people in Japan, ranked among the lowest of developed countries in legal inclusivity for those groups.

"It is our community's wish that the Olympics and Paralympics will become a transitioning point. Since the world will focus on Japan, we want to use that attention to drive change," Matsunaka, who leads Pride House Tokyo Legacy, said in a recent interview.