TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A mayor in Japan has resigned from her position over fake academic record allegations. The Mayor of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, Maki Takubo, apologized to senior officials and the city government after announcing her intention to resign on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
Takubo had previously claimed to have graduated from Toyo University, but she was actually expelled from the university. She also issued an apology to the residents through the city's website. Following the scandal, several agencies seemed to have canceled tours to the hot spring resort city.
In his brief apology during a policy meeting with city executives on the evening of July 8, Takubo stated, "I caused inconvenience for a personal reason."
Later in the evening, she apologized to about 100 staff members gathered in the large conference room of the city hall.
After the meeting, Tsuyoshi Chikamochi, the head of the city's planning department, told reporters. "We want to resolve divisions and confusion in the city as soon as possible. We have received cancellations from tourist agents saying they don't want to visit Ito," he said, as reported by the Japanese media, The Mainichi.
At a press conference on the evening of July 7, Takubo admitted to approving the description of her university graduation in the city's public relations magazine. However, she reiterated her claim, stating, "I believed I had graduated until June 28 (when it was confirmed I was expelled)."
Regarding the "graduation certificate" shown by Takubo, she said the diploma was genuine, but later admitted that she did not remember how she obtained it. The diploma was requested by the chair and deputy chair of the city council, and it is planned to be handed over to the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutor's Office.
Hiromichi Nakajima, a council spokesperson, stated Takubo's resignation was a wise decision.
Takubo plans to submit an explanatory letter to the prosecutor within two weeks and will promptly resign thereafter. According to the General Election Law, a mayoral election will be held within 50 days after her resignation.
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