A Japanese politician has filed a police complaint after receiving thousands of death threats for advocating the availability of menstrual pads in public restrooms. Ayaka Yoshida, a 27-year-old local assembly member from Mie Prefecture, reported that a single email address had sent nearly 8,000 threatening messages in response to her stance on menstrual hygiene.

Thousands of threatening emails sent over the weekend

Yoshida became the target of harassment after she highlighted the lack of sanitary products in restrooms at a city hall. Taking to social media, she shared her experience, saying, “I was caught off guard by my period and was in trouble as there were no sanitary napkins in the restroom at Tsu City Hall. I hope menstrual pads can be provided like toilet paper.”

Her post prompted a flood of threatening emails, with messages sent between 8 p.m. on Friday and 3:50 p.m. on Monday, according to reports. One email’s subject line read, “I will kill assembly member Ayaka Yoshida who doesn't bring emergency napkins with her while being old enough to know better!” Another contained sexist remarks, criticising her for not carrying her own sanitary products.

Yoshida speaks out against intimidation

At a press conference, Yoshida detailed the ordeal, describing the emails as an attempt to silence her efforts as a prefectural assembly member. “I'm very scared... I hope the police will conduct a thorough investigation,” she said, calling for action against those behind the threats.

Menstrual leave in Japan and workplace challenges

Japan’s Labour Standards Law of 1947 grants female workers the right to menstrual leave. However, the law does not specify whether the leave should be paid or unpaid, nor does it define the number of days a woman can take off. Furthermore, companies are not obligated to provide paid time off for menstruation.

A 2023 international survey found that 44% of Japanese women do not take any leave during their periods, even when experiencing severe pain. Additionally, 35% of women facing menopausal symptoms continue working despite their discomfort.