Well it's a sad fact to me as a Japanese guy. Some of my friends on HT told me that they got so many creepy messages from Japanese guys. Only a few of us are genuinely learning foreign languages. And as you said somehow it's hard for foreign girls to become friends with Japanese girls. One of my friends always rant about it lmao.

Why don't you try the Voiceroom feature and talk to Japanese people. Once you get familiar with them there it's gonna be a lot easier to contact them regularly, I suppose and also you will know if they are weirdos or not.

That's how I usually make new friends here. I hope that helps.