Japanese politician Ayaka Yoshida is facing a storm of online abuse after advocating for menstrual product accessibility, sparking debate on gender equity and free speech in Japan.
AT A GLANCE
- Ayaka Yoshida received nearly 8,000 death threat emails after advocating for menstrual pads in public restrooms.
- The threats followed her post about the absence of sanitary napkins at Tsu City Hall.
- Yoshida has filed a police complaint and called for a full investigation.
- Her advocacy spotlights Japan’s lack of menstrual equity and the stigma around women’s health.
- Global support for Yoshida grows as she continues to speak out.
Menstrual Equity Sparks Online Hate Campaign
Ayaka Yoshida, a 27-year-old assembly member in Mie Prefecture and a member of the Japanese Communist Party, received nearly 8,000 threatening emails after a post about her personal experience with the lack of sanitary napkins at Tsu City Hall went viral. Her tweet, which called for menstrual pads to be made available in public restrooms “like toilet paper,” drew backlash that quickly escalated into a coordinated harassment campaign.
As reported by Kyodo News, the emails were sent in rapid succession—about one per minute—many mocking her for not carrying her own pads and threatening violence.
“I was caught off guard by my period,” Yoshida said. “I hope menstrual pads can be provided like toilet paper.”
Watch news coverage of the threats against Yoshida.
Societal Pushback Reveals Deeper Challenges
In the face of this intimidation, Yoshida filed a police complaint and called for an investigation. She told Yahoo News UK, “I’m very scared… These emails intimidate me and suppress my activities as a prefectural assembly member.”
Her call for menstrual care accessibility taps into broader issues. A recent study by Deloitte Tohmatsu Group revealed that nearly half of Japanese women do not take time off work during menstruation, even when experiencing severe discomfort. This underscores a widespread reluctance to address women’s health needs in professional and civic settings.
The public backlash also reveals Japan’s persistent stigma surrounding menstruation—a topic often deemed taboo in mainstream political discourse. Critics of Yoshida argued that her expectations were unreasonable, while supporters see her as a courageous advocate confronting societal silence.
Refusing to Be Silenced
Despite the flood of abuse, Yoshida continues her campaign for menstrual equity. She remains vocal about the need for systemic reforms to ensure women’s health needs are met in public spaces. Her experience mirrors global advocacy movements pushing for the normalization and accessibility of menstrual products in schools, workplaces, and government buildings.
As covered by The Independent, Yoshida’s ordeal has drawn national and international attention. Advocacy groups and citizens have voiced support online, praising her determination and denouncing the online harassment.
While the investigation continues, Yoshida’s stand highlights the resilience required to advocate for women’s rights in the face of hostility. Her case is now emblematic of a growing movement to address the cultural and institutional barriers to menstrual equity—not just in Japan, but around the world.
