05-07-2025
Mayor in Japan's Shizuoka Pref. faces call for resignation over faked academic record
ITO, Shizuoka -- A city council committee here unanimously decided on July 4 to submit a resolution to the assembly urging Mayor Maki Takubo to resign over revelations she falsely claimed to have graduated from Toyo University when she had in fact been expelled.
The steering committee will also present a resolution calling for a special investigative committee to be established under Japan's Local Autonomy Act. Both proposals will be presented and are expected to be passed at an Ito Municipal Assembly plenary session July 7.
The resignation resolution criticized Mayor Takubo, 55, for repeatedly deflecting questions or refusing to respond when confronted about her academic background by the city assembly. The text stated, "This goes beyond merely lacking sincerity, and is even despicable."
Takubo was first elected in May this year. An official city bulletin introducing the new mayor listed her as a graduate of Toyo University's Department of Law.
City Assembly Speaker Hiromichi Nakajima urged the mayor to step down in remarks to reporters, saying, "I hope she resigns quickly to prevent further confusion for Ito."
According to city officials, after reports emerged July 2 confirming the mayor had been expelled and had falsely claimed to have graduated, the city received over 200 telephone calls regarding the case that day alone, followed by more than 350 calls the next day. The city also received about 250 emails across both days, almost all of them demanding the mayor's resignation.
In addition, a local business operator announced plans to file a criminal complaint early next week, alleging a possible violation of the Public Offices Election Act due to Takubo's false educational claims during the mayoral race.
Takubo did not come to the city hall on July 4 and canceled a planned appearance that day in a meeting of mayors from eastern Shizuoka Prefecture to avoid causing confusion. The mayor is also due to skip the Matsukawa tub race, a local event scheduled for July 6.
(Japanese original by Koji Wakai, Ito Local Bureau)
