Photo/Illutration Maki Takubo, mayor of Ito in Shizuoka Prefecture, left, announces her resignation on July 7 following a public backlash over false claims about her academic record. (Shinya Minamishima)

ITO, Shizuoka Prefecture--Facing increasing public and assembly criticism, embattled Ito Mayor Maki Takubo announced on July 7 that she will resign over allegations that she falsified her academic credentials.

Takubo, who was elected in May, also confirmed her intention to run in the mayoral election to fill the vacancy.

The controversy centers around claims in a recent city newsletter that Takubo had obtained a bachelor of arts in law from Tokyo’s Toyo University, when, in fact, she had been expelled from the institution.

Takubo’s announcement follows a municipal assembly session earlier in the day, where the assembly members unanimously passed two resolutions.

One recommended that Takubo resign and the other established a special investigative committee to examine allegations that she intentionally falsified information about her academic background.

The pressure on Takubo had been mounting since last week, when she acknowledged that she had been expelled from Toyo University.

Although she admitted to approving the newsletter’s content before publication, Takubo emphasized that she believed she had graduated until confirming her expulsion late last month.

Takubo has reportedly shown what she claimed was a diploma to the city assembly chair and others demanding proof of her academic credentials.

At her July 7 news conference, she said she would submit that document, along with her yearbook and a certificate showing her enrollment period, to the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office for investigation.

She added that she intends to remain in office while the legal process unfolds.

900 PROTEST CALLS

The scandal has sparked a wave of public outrage. Since Takubo publicly confirmed her expulsion, the city’s public relations office has received about 900 phone calls and 100 emails, most of which were protests against the mayor.

City officials said daily operations have been disrupted due to the high volume of complaints.

This led to criticism of the mayor from within city hall.

On the morning of July 7, the head of the municipal workers’ union handed Takubo a formal request, urging her to provide a clear explanation and take responsibility to prevent further damage to public trust and staff morale.

Assembly members, including those who had previously supported Takubo, condemned her.

One assembly member criticized Takubo for showing disrespect toward the public, while another accused her of betraying the campaign promises of transparency and clean politics.

No assembly member spoke in opposition to the resolutions.

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