Key Facts
• July 11: Special investigative committee convened in Ito City Council.
• Mayor Maki Takubo accused of falsifying academic credentials.
• Allegation: Claimed graduation from Toyo University Law School, but records show expulsion.
• Committee requested submission of graduation certificate by July 18, 4:00 PM.
• July 11: Testimonies from city officials revealed certificate was shown but copying was denied.
• Mayor Takubo plans to submit documents, including the certificate, to prosecutors.
• Refusal to comply with the committee’s request may result in up to 6 months’ detention or a fine of ¥100,000.
• Mayor Takubo has not prioritized the committee’s request over submission to prosecutors.
Summary
The Ito City Council launched a special investigative committee on July 11 to address allegations of academic fraud against Mayor Maki Takubo. The mayor is accused of falsely claiming to have graduated from Toyo University Law School, despite records indicating expulsion. The committee has demanded the submission of the graduation certificate by July 18, 4:00 PM, warning of potential legal penalties for non-compliance. Testimonies revealed that while the certificate was shown to officials, copying was prohibited. Mayor Takubo has stated intentions to submit the certificate to prosecutors but has not committed to prioritizing the committee’s request. The situation remains under scrutiny as the deadline approaches.
