Ousted Mayor of Ito, Shizuoka, to Seek Return in Dec. Election

Shizuoka, Nov. 13 (Jiji Press)–Maki Takubo, former mayor of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, plans to run in the Dec. 14 mayoral election following her removal from office over her academic background scandal, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday. Takubo, 55, is expected to hold a press conference as early as Tuesday to formally announce her candidacy. The ousted mayor has avoided clarifying whether she will run in the upcoming election, saying only that she will make a decision after consulting with her supporters. So far, four newcomers and Takubo’s predecessor, Tatsuya Ono, 62, have declared their intention to run. Takashi Tachibana, head of a political group that criticizes NHK, also known as Japan Broadcasting Corp., has also expressed interest. However, he was arrested Sunday on suspicion of defaming a former Hyogo prefectural assembly member who apparently committed suicide in January. Takubo was first elected mayor in May after serving as a member of the Ito city assembly. However, she faced allegations that she had falsified her academic background. Takubo had claimed to have graduated from Toyo University, but admitted in July that she had, in fact, been expelled from the university. Over the scandal, the city assembly unanimously passed a no-confidence motion against Takubo on Sept. 1. In response, the then mayor chose to dissolve the assembly. Following the subsequent election on Oct. 19, the city assembly passed a second no-confidence motion against Takubo on Oct. 31, and she lost her office the same day. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]