In a shocking development that has reverberated through Japan's higher education and political landscapes, former Ito City Mayor Maki Takubo has been indicted for forging a Toyo University diploma, marking one of the most prominent cases of academic fraud involving a public official in recent years. The Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office filed charges on March 30, 2026, accusing Takubo of multiple violations including the forgery of a private document with an official seal, its use, making false statements, and breaching the Local Autonomy Law by misrepresenting her academic credentials.

Takubo, aged 56, rose to prominence when she was elected mayor of Ito, a scenic hot spring city in Shizuoka Prefecture, in May 2025. Her campaign profile and the city's official public relations materials proudly listed her as a graduate of Toyo University, a respected private institution in Tokyo known for its law, literature, and economics programs. However, investigations revealed that Takubo had been expelled from the university and never received a diploma, prompting a cascade of events that led to her political downfall and now criminal proceedings.

🕰️ Detailed Timeline of the Toyo University Diploma Forgery Scandal

The saga began shortly after Takubo's election victory in May 2025. Between May 29 and June 4, 2025, she allegedly commissioned counterfeit seals online from a seal manufacturing company. These seals bore the names of Toyo University's president and the chief of its Faculty of Law—the department Takubo claimed to have graduated from. Using these seals, she produced a fake graduation diploma and presented it to the Ito City assembly chair and vice-chair on June 4 as proof of her credentials.

Questions arose in early June when an anonymous letter to council members challenged her claimed 1992 graduation. Takubo initially insisted she believed she had graduated. On June 28, she claimed to have visited Toyo University and learned of her expulsion status for the first time. However, at an August 13, 2025, special investigative committee meeting of the city assembly, she reiterated this narrative despite evidence suggesting prior knowledge. This led to accusations of false statements under oath-like conditions.

The political repercussions were swift. The assembly passed no-confidence motions on September 1 and October 31, 2025, forcing Takubo from office. She ran for reelection in December 2025 but was defeated. Police raided her home on February 14, 2026, seizing potential evidence. Prosecutors received the case on March 25 and indicted her five days later without arrest, setting the stage for a trial.

Takubo's Defense: Belief in Graduation or Deliberate Deception?

Throughout the ordeal, Takubo has maintained her innocence, stating on March 30, 2026, 'I have not yet received the indictment, so I am unable to comment. I would like to carefully consider my next course of action after reading it.' Earlier, she asserted, 'I believed that I had graduated and have never engaged in any falsification.' She refused to submit her diploma during questioning, citing rights against unlawful seizure, fueling suspicions.

Critics, including city assembly members and residents who filed criminal complaints, argue her actions show deliberate intent. The ease of obtaining realistic seals online highlights vulnerabilities in document forgery, but Takubo's refusal to release originals early on undermined her credibility.

Toyo University's Verification Process and Response

Toyo University, founded in 1886 and enrolling over 30,000 students across its campuses in Tokyo and Itakura, promptly confirmed Takubo's expulsion and that no diploma was issued. According to university policy, diplomas are only granted upon completion of required credits and examinations, with expulsion barring issuance. The institution uses secure printing and digital verification methods like POPITA technology at convenience stores for certificate authenticity checks, as noted on their graduate school site.

In this case, Toyo University's direct confirmation to investigators was pivotal. While no formal public statement post-indictment was found, their 2025 verification exposed the fraud, protecting their reputation. This incident underscores the importance of universities' role in credential validation, especially for public figures. For more on Toyo University's academic standards, visit their official site.

Legal Ramifications: Charges and Potential Penalties

Takubo faces charges under Japan's Penal Code for forging a private document with an official seal (up to 5 years imprisonment) and its exercise, plus Local Autonomy Law violations for credential misrepresentation in public office. False statements to the assembly add gravity. As an in-home indictment, she remains free pending trial, but conviction could bar future political roles and damage her legacy.

Legal experts note such cases are rare but damaging, eroding public trust in governance. The prosecution's evidence, including online purchase records and witness testimonies, appears robust.

Impact on Ito City and Local Politics

Ito City, reliant on tourism with its onsen (hot springs), saw governance turmoil. The scandal led to assembly dissolution attempts by Takubo and multiple elections, costing taxpayer funds. Post-ouster, the city adopted academic credential checks for officials, a direct reform inspired by the case.

Broadening the Lens: Academic Fraud in Japanese Politics and Higher Education

This is not isolated. In 2025, teacher license fraud exposed screening flaws, with fake credentials bypassing checks. Politicians have exaggerated overseas study, and universities like UTokyo faced bribery scandals in 2026. While diploma forgery stats are scarce—general fraud rose 24.6% in 2024 per police data—cases involving officials highlight systemic gaps.

• Verification relies on self-reporting for elections, with post-facto checks rare.
• Online seal makers enable easy forgery.
• Universities like Toyo use direct contact for verification via NIC-Japan standards.

Japan's Higher Education Diploma Security Measures

Japanese universities employ multi-layered protections: secure paper, holograms, digital certificates, and databases. The National Information Center for Academic Recognition Japan (NIC-Japan) advises direct institutional contact for authenticity checks. Reforms post-scandals include mandatory disclosures for public roles and digital ledgers. For credential evaluation details, see NIC-Japan.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Universities, Regulators, and Experts

Toyo University emphasized strict expulsion policies—no diplomas for dropouts. MEXT (Ministry of Education) pushes verification reforms amid declining enrollments (private unis down 10% applicants 2026). Experts advocate blockchain diplomas and AI detection. A detailed Asahi report highlights governance needs.

Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz

While not massively trending on X (formerly Twitter), Japanese media coverage was intense, with netizens decrying trust erosion. Local residents expressed outrage over wasted resources.

Future Outlook: Reforms and Lessons for Japanese Higher Education

This scandal may spur mandatory credential audits for politicians and digital diplomas. For aspiring academics and officials, transparency is key. Explore opportunities in Japan's higher ed via university jobs. With fraud rising, proactive verification protects institutions like Toyo University.

In conclusion, the Takubo case exemplifies risks of unchecked credentials, urging stronger ties between higher education integrity and public trust.

Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash