Key Facts
• July 22: Ito City Council requested Mayor Maki Takubo to appear before the special committee.
• The request relates to allegations of academic credential falsification by the mayor.
• Mayor Takubo has refused to submit her graduation certificate to the committee.
• Council Chairman Hiromichi Nakajima personally delivered the request to the mayor.
• Mayor Takubo avoided confirming her attendance, stating she would review the request.
• The next committee meeting is scheduled for July 25 at 10:00 AM.
• The committee seeks explanations for the refusal to submit the certificate and related issues.
• Refusal to appear without valid reason may result in up to 6 months’ detention or a fine of ¥100,000 under local government law.
• Mayor Takubo left city hall before noon after receiving the request.
• Public attention focuses on whether the mayor will comply with the request.
Summary
The Ito City Council in Shizuoka Prefecture has formally requested Mayor Maki Takubo to appear before a special committee on July 25 to address allegations of academic credential falsification. The mayor has previously refused to submit her graduation certificate, prompting the council to escalate the matter. Council Chairman Hiromichi Nakajima emphasized the importance of transparency and urged the mayor to cooperate. While Mayor Takubo has not confirmed her attendance, failure to comply without valid justification could lead to legal penalties, including detention or fines. The upcoming meeting will focus on clarifying the reasons behind the certificate refusal and related issues. The situation has drawn significant public attention, with many awaiting the mayor’s decision.
