One thing to keep in mind is that feedback and comments made to developers aren't exclusively posted within, or on social media, but can be through a variety of outlets. Yoshida has already in the past commented about developer harassment.

Whilst this doesn't outright state death threats, the community on this forum was pretty universal in thought that it was eluding to such. Perhaps out of genuine fact, or to try and excuse/detract from their own abrasive comments in the past.