Key Facts
• July 25: Third special committee meeting held; Mayor Takubo absent.
• July 22: Mayor Takubo requested to appear before the committee.
• July 24: Takubo officially refused to attend, citing prior responses and scheduling conflicts.
• Allegations: Takubo’s graduation certificate from Toyo University claimed to be fake.
• July 18: Anonymous letter alleged the certificate was fabricated by classmates.
• Takubo dismissed the letter as a “fabricated document” on social media.
• July 25: Committee decided to summon a witness who claims Takubo admitted not graduating.
• July: Takubo hinted at possible resignation but deferred decision to consultations.
• Committee members criticized Takubo’s absence, calling it a failure of accountability.
• Vice Chair Aoki described the refusal as “evasion of responsibility.”
• Takubo worked at city hall on July 25 but avoided commenting on the committee.
• Next steps: Committee to proceed with witness testimony next week.
Summary
Shizuoka’s Ito City Mayor Maki Takubo faces allegations of academic fraud, with claims her Toyo University graduation certificate is fake. Despite being summoned to a special committee on July 25, Takubo refused to attend, citing prior responses and scheduling conflicts. An anonymous letter alleged the certificate was fabricated by classmates, which Takubo dismissed as a “fabricated document.” The committee plans to summon a witness who claims Takubo admitted not graduating. Amid mounting criticism, Takubo hinted at a possible resignation by July’s end but deferred a decision. The situation remains unresolved as the committee continues its investigation.
