The mayor of Ito City in Shizuoka, Maki Takubo, had said she would resign over allegations of lying about her education, but on July 31, she suddenly announced she would stay in office to fulfill her campaign promises. This surprised and frustrated many residents and even her supporters.

Why people are upset:

• Many feel betrayed after voting for her.
• Some say she lost trust, and without trust, she shouldn't lead.
• Her main campaign promises—canceling a new library and stopping a mega-solar project—have already mostly been handled or were already inactive.

So why is she staying?

• A local journalist says she still has strong support from wealthy older residents, who see her as a kind of heroine.
• This solid support base gives her the confidence to continue.

Impact on the city:

• Some city functions are stuck, like school supply orders and public office communication.
• One business owner said city hall isn’t responding properly, hurting local businesses.
• After her announcement to stay, the city received over 1,200 calls and emails in a single day, slowing down operations.

What could happen next:

• The city council may vote on a no-confidence motion.
  • If passed, the mayor must either resign or dissolve the council.
  • If the council is dissolved, a new city council election must be held within 40 days.
  • If a second no-confidence vote passes later, the mayor would be forced to resign, or a new mayoral election will be held within 50 days.
• This could create a 40–50 day political deadlock, costing taxpayers money and delaying city work.

In short, Takubo’s decision to stay is causing confusion and frustration. Many believe the only way forward is to hold a new election and restore trust in city leadership.