ITO, Shizuoka -- Former Ito Mayor Maki Takubo has expressed her intent to run in the mayoral election that will be held as a result of her dismissal from the position in the wake of an academic fraud scandal.

In an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun, Takubo stated, "I've been listening to people's opinions and considering my course of action." She plans to hold a news conference next week to make an official announcement. The election will be formally called on Dec. 7, kicking off campaigning, with voting and counting on Dec. 14.

Takubo was first elected as mayor in May, but suspicions that she had falsely claimed to have graduated from Toyo University surfaced, leading to the finding that she had in fact been expelled. The Ito Municipal Assembly formed a special investigative committee under the Local Autonomy Act which concluded that Takubo had knowingly presented a fake diploma to city officials and council members.

Following the findings, the municipal assembly unanimously passed a no-confidence motion against Takubo in September, prompting her to dissolve the council. After the city council election, the assembly again passed a no-confidence motion on Oct. 31, with 19 in favor and 1 against, resulting in Takubo's dismissal.

Five candidates have announced their bids in the subsequent December election, including former Mayor Tatsuya Ono, whom Takubo defeated in May. Takashi Tachibana, leader of the NHK Party, a minor political group, was also planning to announce his candidacy on Nov. 10, but canceled the move after his arrest on suspicion of defaming a former Hyogo Prefectural Assembly member.

(Japanese original by Koji Wakai, Ito Local Bureau)