Key Facts
• Mayor Maki Takubo of Ito City faced allegations of falsifying her Toyo University credentials.
• On September 1, the city council unanimously passed a no-confidence motion against her.
• Takubo dissolved the city council on September 10, citing reform and regional protection.
• She posted a close-up selfie on X (formerly Twitter) alongside the announcement.
• The post received over 3,500 comments, many criticizing the photo for alleged heavy editing.
• Comments included demands for proof of her university degree instead of selfies.
• Some commenters described the photo as “too edited” and “unnecessary for an official.”
• A few comments praised her appearance, calling her “beautiful.”
• The controversy has persisted for over three months, with Takubo retracting resignation statements multiple times.
Summary
Maki Takubo, the mayor of Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, has been embroiled in a controversy over alleged falsification of her Toyo University credentials. Following a unanimous no-confidence vote by the city council on September 1, she opted to dissolve the council on September 10 instead of resigning. Her announcement on X, accompanied by a heavily edited close-up selfie, sparked widespread criticism online, with over 3,500 comments questioning her priorities and demanding evidence of her academic qualifications. While some praised her appearance, the majority criticized the use of a selfie in an official context. The controversy, ongoing for over three months, has raised concerns about her leadership and transparency.
