Key Facts
• August 20, 2025: Mayor Maki Takubo posts about the Izu Highlands mega-solar project.
• Claims: Former mayor advanced the project by approving a land development permit in July 2022.
• Shizuoka Mayor Takashi Namba refutes, citing administrative obligations to approve permits.
• Namba clarifies: Permits are issued when requirements are met, not to promote projects.
• Takubo references a secret agreement signed by the former mayor to avoid legal risks.
• Agreement: City would approve applications if Tokyo High Court dismissed related lawsuits.
• Former mayor’s actions violated city ordinances, leading to salary reduction and apology.
• Takubo’s post avoids direct evaluation or comment from Namba.
• Ordinance: Large-scale solar projects require mayoral consent, introduced by the former mayor.
• Legal risks: Delaying permits without reason could result in lawsuits and administrative losses.
Summary
Mayor Maki Takubo of Ito City, embroiled in an academic credentials scandal, claimed on social media that the Izu Highlands mega-solar project was advanced by her predecessor through a land development permit approval. Shizuoka Mayor Takashi Namba, formerly involved in the project as deputy governor, countered that such approvals are administrative obligations when requirements are met, not acts of project promotion. Takubo also highlighted a secret agreement signed by the former mayor to mitigate legal risks, which later led to ordinance violations and a salary reduction. Namba refrained from commenting on Takubo’s post but emphasized the legal necessity of issuing permits to avoid lawsuits. The ordinance requiring mayoral consent for large-scale solar projects was introduced by the former mayor, further complicating the issue. The controversy underscores the tension between administrative duties and political accountability.
