This feels like more corporate conservatism, definitely something typical of the old male corporate leadership, the fucking 80 dinosaurs that just wont retire trying to think more about the long term future of the franchise and being scared about being at the front of a "social issue" even though for the target audience here, gay relationships are definitely not taboo in any way in media, though it may not be their preference.

With regards to China I do think it is possible that these out of touch execs are self-censoring because they think it will be easier to avoid problems in the future, i.e their own misguided and false perception of China(let alone the west and even JP itself) makes them believe self-censorship will be beneficial.

Also this is not about male otaku pressure at all, yuri fandom is very much male gaze oriented like it or not so if they were male partners, yeah maybe. But even then I think Yuri on Ice and Free are like a decade old now even mainstream yaoi is not taboo to anyone in JP so yeah its very much likely male cowardice BS. Maybe if someone can go and look at 2ch reaction but I very very much doubt anyone is supporting them.