Key Facts
• On June 28, Mayor Maki Takubo learned she was not a university graduate.
• Councilor Kazuhiko Sugimoto questioned the authenticity of her graduation certificate.
• Takubo admitted she had never seen an authentic university graduation certificate.
• Sugimoto presented a copy of a real certificate for comparison during the hearing.
• Takubo stated she could not confirm the authenticity of her own certificate.
• The university confirmed it does not issue certificates to expelled students.
• Takubo described her certificate as “not problematic” but could not verify its validity.
• The council chair urged Takubo to provide precise answers during the inquiry.
Summary
During a Shizuoka council hearing, Mayor Maki Takubo faced scrutiny over the authenticity of her graduation certificate. Councilor Kazuhiko Sugimoto questioned whether Takubo believed her certificate was genuine, given her expulsion from the university. Takubo admitted she had never seen an authentic certificate and could not confirm the validity of her own. Sugimoto presented a real certificate for comparison, but Takubo stated she lacked the means to verify her document. The university clarified it does not issue certificates to expelled students. Despite the council chair’s request for precise answers, Takubo maintained her certificate was “not problematic” but refrained from definitive statements. The inquiry highlighted discrepancies in Takubo’s claims and raised concerns about her credibility.
