Unlike in Muslim countries, homosexuality is legal in Japan. Male prostitution is unregulated by the law and Tokyo bans anti-gay job firings. As a primarily Buddhist and Shinto nation, there’s very little in the way of religious discrimination. There’s also no shame attacted to depicting same-sex love in books, comics, and television.

Yet, at the same time, it’s a deeply conformist society. ‘Coming out’ in the Western sense is seen as disruptive to social harmony. 99% of the people marry someone of the opposite sex. Many lesbians and gays also do this. Their homosexuality is often an open secret to their spouse, family, co-workers, and friends… but no one will actually talk about it. They can visit gay bars, buy gay porn, and even have lovers on the side. Just as long as they do everyone the favor of keeping it discreet, there seems to be little backlash.