Photo/Illutration Yuko Otsubaki, deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party, speaks to reporters at the Diet on July 17, condemning death threats she received during her election campaign for the Upper House. (Yuki Minami)

Death threats targeting three female candidates in the Upper House election have raised serious concerns about the safety of political figures and the integrity of the democratic process.

Yuko Otsubaki, deputy leader of the minor opposition Social Democratic Party, revealed on July 17 that she had received a death threat via an online forum stating, “I’m going to kill you with a knife.”

“This is absolutely unacceptable,” said Otsubaki, who is seeking re-election to the chamber through proportional representation.

She vowed to continue her campaign with increased security measures in place ahead of the July 20 election.

SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima also condemned the threat.

“This is an attempt to obstruct the election process and an attack on democracy itself. We strongly protest it,” she said.

Independent candidate Shiori Yamao, running in the Tokyo constituency, also reported being the target of death threats.

According to campaign staff, two threatening emails were sent to the campaign’s official address on July 17.

The emails included threats against Yamao and her family and demands for money. The campaign team revealed that similar threatening emails had been received several times between April and July.

These are not isolated incidents.

On July 6, Saya, from the right-wing minor opposition party Sanseito, also received multiple death threats through her support group’s website.

Authorities are investigating the incidents, while campaigns are ramping up security to protect candidates and staff.