Key Facts
• October 28: Mayor Maki Takubo held her final regular press conference.
• October 31: City council expected to pass a second no-confidence vote.
• Takubo accused of falsifying academic credentials, claiming a degree from Toyo University.
• August-September: Refused to address academic fraud questions in press conferences.
• October 28: Stated ongoing inquiries with Toyo University but declined further comment.
• October 19: Anti-Takubo candidates won 19 of 20 seats in city council elections.
• Takubo previously dissolved the council after the first no-confidence vote.
• Likely outcome: Takubo to lose her position following the October 31 vote.
Summary
Maki Takubo, mayor of Ito City, is set to lose her position following a second no-confidence vote scheduled for October 31. This comes after allegations of academic fraud, where she falsely claimed to have graduated from Toyo University. Despite public demands for accountability, Takubo has avoided addressing the issue in recent press conferences, citing legal constraints. On October 28, she confirmed ongoing inquiries with the university but refrained from further comment. Earlier, Takubo dissolved the city council after a no-confidence vote, but anti-Takubo candidates dominated the subsequent elections, securing 19 of 20 seats. The council is now poised to finalize her dismissal, marking the end of her tenure.
