Maki Takubo hit by forced home search after evidence refusal, expert warns of legal consequences

She briefly showed her diploma to the council chairman for about 19.2 seconds

It seems there’s no turning back now.

On February 14, Shizuoka Prefectural Police conducted a seven-hour search of the home of former Ito City Mayor Maki Takubo (56), seizing materials equivalent to five cardboard boxes.

The police have accepted criminal complaints related to six charges and eight incidents, including violations of the Public Offices Election Act for having false academic credentials reported to the media during the May 2025 mayoral election, and the use of forged private documents.

Two days earlier, police requested submission of what is said to be a diploma from Toyo University, a key piece of evidence in the case. Takubo’s lawyer responded:

“There was no intent to destroy evidence, and it is being kept in the office, so it cannot be handed over during the investigation stage.”

The lawyer invoked the right to refuse seizure as stipulated in Article 105 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

A news desk source from an information program commented:

“At an earlier press conference, she casually admitted, ‘I was expelled from the university’ and ‘I never graduated.’ She probably didn’t think this would become a big issue. Despite not graduating, she made the absurd claim that she showed her diploma to the council chairman for about 19.2 seconds. These statements were reported humorously nationwide and drew high ratings.”

Takubo lost her position after receiving two no-confidence votes from the city council and was easily defeated in the December re-election.

“Police generally hesitate to intervene with municipal leaders, but after losing the election she became an ordinary citizen, and it seems the police finally moved seriously,” said the same news desk source.

Similarly, troublesome mayors like Akira Ogawa (43) of Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, who was found to visit hotels with subordinate staff, returned to office after a re-election victory. Hyogo Prefecture Governor Motohiko Saito (48) also faced various allegations but was re-elected.

There is a possibility of being charged with evidence tampering

Maki Takubo, who lost and became an ordinary citizen, faces multiple criminal complaints but denies that any of them constitute a crime. However, can it really be acceptable to withhold a key piece of evidence—a so-called diploma—through a lawyer and refuse to submit it?

We asked lawyer Kenta Morimi of Morimi Law Office for his take.

Q: Takubo is accused under the Public Offices Election Act and other laws, but which charge carries the highest likelihood of arrest?

“Arrest occurs when there is a risk of evidence destruction or flight. In this case, none of the charges strongly warrant detention. If I had to pick, the crime most likely would be falsifying a private document, as there is a potential for evidence destruction.”

Q: If Takubo is indicted, would her lawyer be obliged to submit the diploma?

“There is no strict obligation to submit it. But if Takubo’s claims are true and she wants to protect herself, she should submit it to clear any doubts regarding her case.”

Q: If the diploma, a key piece of evidence, is hidden, could the lawyer be charged?

“Under criminal law, there is a possibility of being charged with evidence tampering, but it is not considered highly likely.”

Q: If the diploma cannot be verified and there is no evidence of private document falsification, will the prosecution still indict?

“If there is no evidence, the prosecutors are unlikely to indict. They wouldn’t deliberately take a losing case. However, since there was a reported search of Takubo’s home, if they find evidence there, the prosecution could potentially move forward with an indictment.”

Even after conducting a search, if nothing is found or no indictment is possible, the police would lose face entirely. It seems clear that the authorities are seriously aiming to take action against Takubo.