Key Facts
• October 31 marked five months and two days since Mayor Maki Takubo’s inauguration.
• Shizuoka Prefecture’s Ito City Council passed a second no-confidence vote against the mayor.
• 19 council members voted in favor, with only one opposing the motion.
• Allegations include academic fraud and misuse of power, leading to public and council criticism.
• Mayor Takubo dissolved the council in September after the first no-confidence vote.
• In the subsequent election, only one of her supported candidates won a seat.
• Takubo failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding her academic credentials.
• Police increased security after threats were sent to at least 17 council members.
• Mayor Takubo officially lost her position on October 31, 2025.
• She avoided confirming her candidacy for the next mayoral election.
Summary
Mayor Maki Takubo of Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, faced a second no-confidence vote on October 31, 2025, just over five months into her term. The council, citing allegations of academic fraud and misuse of power, voted 19-1 to remove her from office. Takubo had previously dissolved the council in September following a first no-confidence vote, but her efforts to support new candidates in the subsequent election largely failed. Despite public and council demands, she did not provide clear explanations regarding her academic credentials, citing ongoing criminal investigations. Security concerns escalated after threats were sent to 17 council members. Takubo, who officially lost her position on October 31, refrained from confirming whether she would run in the next mayoral election. The council expressed relief at the resolution but noted the prolonged disruption to city governance.
