Ito Mayor Maki Takubo to Resign After Toyo University Expulsion; Council Unanimously Calls for Resignation, She Plans Reelection

Maki Takubo, the mayor of Ito City in Shizuoka Prefecture, has faced allegations of academic credential falsification after it was revealed that she was expelled from Toyo University rather than graduating as she had claimed in official city publications. Takubo initially asserted she believed she had graduated but later acknowledged the expulsion, describing it as a misunderstanding. The controversy began when an anonymous letter accusing her of falsifying her academic record was sent to all city council members. Despite presenting a document she claimed was her graduation certificate, doubts about its authenticity emerged. The Ito City Council unanimously passed a resolution on July 7 calling for her resignation and established a special investigative committee (Hyakujō Iinkai) to examine the matter. Takubo announced her intention to resign but also declared plans to run again in a subsequent mayoral election. She submitted the disputed graduation certificate and related documents to the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office for investigation. The scandal has caused significant disruption in city administration, with numerous complaints from citizens and cancellations from local tourism businesses. Takubo apologized to city employees in a private meeting amid public criticism. The special investigative committee convened its first session on July 11, demanding that Takubo submit the graduation certificate by July 18. The case continues to unfold as local authorities seek clarity on the authenticity of Takubo's academic credentials.