Mayor no confidence motion passed unanimously in Ito city assembly this Monday, shaking local politics. The city assembly of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, voiced deep concern over the misconduct of Mayor Maki Takubo, age 55. This public rebuke marks a dramatic turn in her political standing after allegations of falsifying her academic credentials.
First, allegations surfaced that Takubo claimed she graduated from Toyo University. However, a recent revelation exposed that she had been expelled. During an August hearing, she asserted she learned of the expulsion only on June 28, after her May election victory. Yet assembly documents contradicted her statement and confirmed she received notification earlier.
Consequently, the assembly lodged a criminal complaint under the Local Autonomy Law. In light of mounting evidence, the city assembly unanimously approved a no-confidence motion. That resolution urged Takubo to resign immediately, condemning her for breaching public trust and neglecting legal duties. It also cited delays in passing the essential supplementary budget, which harmed citizens’ interests.
Now, Takubo faces a critical choice. After being formally notified, she has ten days to either resign or dissolve the assembly and trigger a new election. She remarked to reporters that she would “make a decision after reviewing the no-confidence resolution”—revealing her careful, though pressured, stance.
Meanwhile, prior developments reflect a roller-coaster since early summer. In July, she signaled her intention to resign and run again. But shortly afterward, she revoked that plan. Throughout the process, the city plunged into uncertainty, and citizens endured administrative disruptions.
Importantly, this episode underscores the seriousness of political accountability in local governance. The mayor holds significant power, and the assembly saw her continued tenure as a growing risk. Thus, the no-confidence vote stands as both legal condemnation and public warning. Summing up, the mayor no confidence situation in Ito forces a crossroads for local leadership. Transparency, legality, and public confidence hang in the balance. With her future now in her hands, Takubo must choose wisely—or face the consequences at the ballot box.
