Survey finds Japan med schools admitting men at higher rates

TOKYO: A government survey sparked by a discrimination scandal has found most Japanese medical schools admit male applicants at a higher rate than women, prompting further government investigation.

The unprecedented probe came after revelations last month that Tokyo Medical University routinely altered the scores of female applicants to keep down the number of women in the student body.

Preliminary data from the education ministry’s survey of all 81 medical schools over the past six years showed men were admitted at a higher rate than women, an education ministry official told AFP.

“If there are cases of misconduct like the Tokyo Medical University case, the government will step in to call for corrective measures,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The survey found that 11.25 per cent of male applicants were admitted overall, compared to 9.55 per cent for women.

Several medical schools involved in the survey declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

But the survey said the institutions involved denied any systematic attempts to keep women out.

The ministry plans to investigate the issue further, including site visits and research into how entrance exams are conducted.

The head of the education ministry’s university entrance exams office told Jiji press agency that female applicants were generally more successful across the board at university entrance exams, for departments ranging from science to the humanities.

The ministry plans to issue a final report on the issue next month. — AFP