ITO, Shizuoka -- Amid the controversy over falsely claiming to have graduated from Toyo University, the mayor of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, apologized to senior officials and other employees of the municipal government July 8, a day after announcing her intention to resign.

Mayor Maki Takubo, who was actually expelled from the university, also issued an apology to residents on the city's website. In the wake of the scandal, some tour agents have apparently canceled tours to the hot spring resort city.

In a brief apology during a policy meeting with city executives on the afternoon of July 8, Takubo stated, "I caused inconvenience for a personal reason." Later that evening, she apologized in front of about 100 staff members gathered in the city hall's large conference room.

Following the policy meeting, Tsuyoshi Chikamochi, head of the city's planning department, told reporters, "We want to resolve divisions and confusion in the city as soon as possible. We have received cancellations from tourist agents saying they don't want to visit Ito."

During a press conference on the night of July 7, Takubo admitted to approving the description of her university graduation in the city's public relations magazine. However, she reiterated her claim, stating, "I believed I had graduated until June 28 (when it was confirmed I was expelled)."

Regarding the "graduation certificate" Takubo presented when requested by the city assembly speaker and vice speaker, and which she plans to submit to the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office, the mayor claimed, "I believe it is genuine. My memory is vague as to how I obtained it."

Her attorney who attended the press conference said of the "graduation certificate" and other documents, "We cannot easily disclose crucial evidence that may become subject to investigation (by law enforcement)" on the grounds that the mayor is facing a criminal complaint by citizens over an alleged violation of the Public Offices Election Act.

Hiromichi Nakajima, speaker of the assembly, which passed a resolution urging the mayor to step down, described Takubo's resignation announcement as "a prudent decision."

Takubo plans to submit a letter of explanation to prosecutors within two weeks and will resign promptly thereafter. According to the Public Offices Election Act, a mayoral election will be held within 50 days of her resignation.

(Japanese original by Koji Wakai, Ito Local Bureau)