Former Ito Mayor's Controversial Return Triggers Mass Resignations Among City Staff
Maki Takubo, the former mayor of Ito City in Shizuoka Prefecture, has sparked a crisis within the local administration following his re-election in December 2025. Takubo had previously been ousted after a vote of no confidence linked to allegations of falsifying his academic background. He dissolved the city council to force the election, a move criticized as selfish and a waste of public funds. Since his return, city employees have faced an overwhelming barrage of over 12,000 critical calls and emails, mostly from anonymous outsiders. The public relations and secretarial departments were unable to manage the volume, forcing staff from other divisions to assist, which severely disrupted normal operations. Employees reported significant stress, including shortened lunch breaks and limited personal time. This intense public backlash has led to a series of resignations among city workers who bore the brunt of the public's anger. The situation highlights the deep division in the community regarding Takubo's leadership and the operational toll political controversies can take on municipal infrastructure.
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Former Ito Mayor's Controversial Return Triggers Mass Resignations Among City Staff
Maki Takubo, the former mayor of Ito City in Shizuoka Prefecture, has sparked a crisis within the local administration following his re-election in December 2025. Takubo had previously been ousted after a vote of no confidence linked to allegations of falsifying his academic background. He dissolved the city council to force the election, a move criticized as selfish and a waste of public funds. Since his return, city employees have faced an overwhelming barrage of over 12,000 critical calls and emails, mostly from anonymous outsiders. The public relations and secretarial departments were unable to manage the volume, forcing staff from other divisions to assist, which severely disrupted normal operations. Employees reported significant stress, including shortened lunch breaks and limited personal time. This intense public backlash has led to a series of resignations among city workers who bore the brunt of the public's anger. The situation highlights the deep division in the community regarding Takubo's leadership and the operational toll political controversies can take on municipal infrastructure.
asahi