Probe finds Japan varsity reduced women’s scores

The alterations were uncovered in an internal investigation of a graft accusation this spring regarding the entrance exam for Tokyo Medical University

TOKYO: A Japanese medical school deliberately cut women’s entrance test scores for several years, a panel of lawyers hired by the school to investigate the issue said on Tuesday, calling it a “very serious” instance of discrimination. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made a priority of creating a society “where women can shine”, but women in Japan still face an uphill battle in employment and face hurdles returning to work after childbirth, which contributes to a falling birthrate.

The alterations were uncovered in an internal investigation of a graft accusation this spring regarding the entrance exam for Tokyo Medical University, sparking protests and widespread anger following media reports last week.

Bribery accusations

Lawyers investigating bribery accusations in the admission of the son of a senior education ministry official said they concluded that his score and that of several other men were boosted “unfairly” some by as much as 49 points.

They also concluded that scores were manipulated to give men more points than women and thus hold down the number of women admitted.

“This incident is really regrettable - by deceptive recruitment procedures, they sought to delude the test takers, their families, school officials and society as a whole,” lawyer Kenji Nakai told a news conference.

“Factors suggesting very serious discrimination against women was also part of it,” added Nakai, one of the external lawyers hired by the university to investigate the incident.

The investigation showed the scores of men - including those reappearing after failing once or twice - were raised a certain number of points.

Those of all women, and men who had failed the test at least three times, were not, however. The lawyers said they did not know how many women had been affected, but it appeared that women’s test scores had been affected going back at least a decade.

- Reuters/P. Ravikumar M Karunanidhi, DMK president and former Tamil Nadu chief minister (inset) died at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai on Tuesday after prolonged illness. Karunanidhi, often referred to as Kalaignar, died at 6.10pm. He was a hero for many as one of the prominent leaders of the Dravidian movement, which aimed at seeking equal rights for the depressed sections and women. Two DMK cadres lost their lives after hearing about the demise of their revered leader in Tamil Nadu. More than 6,000 police personnel have been deployed in Chennai and policemen in all districts have been asked to keep forces ready to maintain peace. Supporters mourn outside the hospital after the demise of Karunanidhi, in Chennai, India August 7, 2018.

- Reuters/Toru Hanai BRIEFING: Tetsuo Yukioka, left, Managing Director of Tokyo Medical University and Keisuke Miyazawa, Vice-President of Tokyo Medical University, attend a news conference in Tokyo, Japan August 7, 2018.