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Mayor Resigns Amid Degree Scandal, Tourism Plummets

7/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Maki Takubo, the mayor of Ito, Japan, stepped down on July 8, 2025, after being embroiled in a scandal over a fabricated academic record, falsely claiming a degree from Toyo University. Her resignation sparked a wave of tourist cancellations, and she intends to submit a letter to prosecutors as the city prepares for a mayoral election in the next 50 days.

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Story summary

Maki Takubo, the mayor of Ito, Japan, stepped down on July 8, 2025, after being embroiled in a scandal over a fabricated academic record, falsely claiming a degree from Toyo University. Her resignation sparked a wave of tourist cancellations, and she intends to submit a letter to prosecutors as the city prepares for a mayoral election in the next 50 days.