Key Facts
• August 6, 2025: Mayor Maki Takubo faced renewed calls to testify before a special committee.
• July 31, 2025: Takubo cited halting a library project and solar plan as reasons to stay in office.
• 2018: Solar project halted under previous mayor; regulations established to prevent its revival.
• August 5, 2025: Shizuoka Mayor Takeshi Namba clarified the solar project was no longer active.
• August 7, 2025: Takubo corrected her statement, retracting claims of “intense behind-the-scenes activity.”
• City council and officials expressed doubts about Takubo’s claims, citing public misinformation risks.
• Takubo’s continuation rationale, based on “mission” to stop projects, faced widespread criticism.
Summary
Maki Takubo, the mayor of Ito City, Japan, faced backlash after citing the cancellation of a library project and a large-scale solar power plan as reasons to remain in office. Critics, including city officials and Shizuoka Mayor Takeshi Namba, refuted her claims, stating the solar project was halted in 2018 and could not be revived. Takubo’s remarks about “intense behind-the-scenes activity” were deemed misleading, prompting her to issue a correction. The city council also questioned the necessity of the library project, further undermining her justification for staying in office. Takubo’s attempt to frame these projects as critical issues failed to gain support, leaving her continuation rationale in doubt.
