Key Facts
• July 7: Ito City Council to discuss resignation recommendation and investigation committee.
• Mayor Maki Takubo cited summer season as reason to avoid resignation and investigation.
• Speaker Hiro Michi Nakajima revealed meeting recordings with Mayor and Vice Speaker.
• Allegations include forged graduation certificate from Toyo University.
• July 4: Council unanimously agreed to submit resignation recommendation and investigation proposal.
• Mayor Takubo announced a press conference for July 7 after the council meeting.
• Councilor Kazuhiko Sugimoto predicts resignation recommendation will pass with majority support.
• Investigation committee to probe allegations with strong investigative authority.
• Mayor Takubo requested to avoid investigation, claiming it would prevent resignation.
• Speaker Nakajima criticized Mayor’s statements as ‘incoherent.’
Summary
Ito City Mayor Maki Takubo faces allegations of academic fraud, including presenting a forged graduation certificate from Toyo University. The city council will discuss a resignation recommendation and the establishment of an investigation committee on July 7. Mayor Takubo argued against the investigation, citing the busy summer season and claiming it would prevent her resignation. Speaker Hiro Michi Nakajima disclosed recordings of a meeting with the Mayor and Vice Speaker, revealing discussions about avoiding the investigation. The council unanimously agreed on July 4 to submit the proposals, with Councilor Kazuhiko Sugimoto predicting their approval. Mayor Takubo announced a press conference for July 7, following the council meeting. Speaker Nakajima criticized the Mayor’s statements as ‘incoherent,’ while the investigation committee is expected to pursue the allegations with strong authority.
