Lawyer accused of evidence tampering in former Ito Mayor's fraud case

A citizens' group in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, has filed a criminal complaint with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office against attorney Masahiro Fukushima, alleging destruction of evidence.

The complaint stems from the academic fraud scandal involving former Ito Mayor Maki Takubo. Takubo was indicted for forging a university diploma and violating the Local Autonomy Act after falsely claiming to have graduated from Toyo University.

According to the complainants, Fukushima refused to submit the allegedly forged diploma to investigative authorities, citing the “right to refuse seizure” (押収拒絶権) and instead kept the document in a safe at his law office. The group described this as an attempt to use legal mechanisms to hide evidence and deprive citizens of their right to know. In addition to the criminal complaint, the group has requested disciplinary action against Fukushima from the Tokyo Bar Association.