Key Facts
• Shizuoka’s Ito City Mayor Maki Takubo faces academic fraud allegations.
• Takubo admitted to falsely claiming a degree from Toyo University.
• Takubo announced resignation and plans to run in a re-election.
• Former Mayor Tatsuya Ono expressed intent to run in the re-election.
• Ono lost to Takubo in May 2025 by 1,800 votes (Takubo: 14,684, Ono: 12,902).
• Allegations led to over 1,200 inquiries from citizens to the city office.
• Minister of Internal Affairs Seiichiro Murakami urged Takubo to explain the allegations.
• The May election focused on a new public library construction plan.
• Ono aims to restore normalcy and prioritize public opinion if re-elected.
• Takubo’s resignation and re-election bid come just over a month after her initial victory.
Summary
Shizuoka’s Ito City is embroiled in controversy as Mayor Maki Takubo faces academic fraud allegations, admitting to falsely claiming a degree from Toyo University. Takubo plans to resign and run in a re-election, prompting former Mayor Tatsuya Ono, who lost to her in May 2025 by 1,800 votes, to declare his intent to run as well. The scandal has drawn over 1,200 citizen inquiries and comments from Internal Affairs Minister Seiichiro Murakami, who emphasized the importance of transparency. The May election centered on a new public library project, which remains a key issue. Ono, aiming to restore normalcy, has pledged to prioritize public opinion if re-elected. Takubo’s resignation and re-election bid come just over a month after her initial victory, leaving the city in political turmoil.
