One of Japan’s most prestigious medical universities marked down tests from female applicants as they were considered more likely to leave the profession after getting married and having children. In a growing scandal that has triggered widespread anger and reflection over gender equality in Japan, Tokyo Medical University was also found to have accepted bribes to inflate the results of “priority” male applicants whose families were linked to the institution. Critics declared "Japanese society is eating itself alive" as they decried the conclusion of an investigation into the university, with the managing director of the school admitting: "We have betrayed the trust of the public” The investigation was triggered when prosecutors in July indicted Futoshi Sano, a former director general at the education ministry, on charges of helping the university secure Y35 million (£242,949) in government subsidies in exchange for a place for his son at the college. The probe quickly ballooned to reveal that a number of male students classified as “priority” applicants - often children of graduates of the university - had their test scores revised upwards to ensure they would have a place at the university and bring in donations from the parents, the report released by the investigators on Tuesday revealed.<doc-sep>In a widely read study published last year, Tsugawa found that patients treated by female physicians in the United States had significantly lower mortality rates and readmission rates than those cared for by male physicians at the same hospital. These findings may not be directly translatable to Japan, but Tsugawa believes it is still unwise to exclude potential female doctors. Barring qualified candidates from medical school, particularly as Japan continues to grapple with an aging population, will harm the country in the long run, he said.<doc-sep>A major score-rigging scandal has engulfed one of Tokyo's medical schools, with an investigation revealing the university deliberately marked down all female applicants to limit the number of women studying at the school. Key points: The practice had reportedly been going on for more than a decade The practice had reportedly been going on for more than a decade It was reportedly done to prevent a shortage of doctors at affiliated hospitals — some believed female doctors tended to resign or take leave after getting married or giving birth It was reportedly done to prevent a shortage of doctors at affiliated hospitals — some believed female doctors tended to resign or take leave after getting married or giving birth University officials said they would now "sincerely" consider their response It is understood the senior officials at Tokyo Medical University wanted to keep the number of women at about 30 per cent, so they altered the computerised marking system. The practice had reportedly been going on for more than a decade. The report on the school's applications process also found that officials boosted the scores of some applicants who were children of the university's graduates so the institution could garner donations from the parents. "We deeply apologise for having inconvenienced and caused so many people pain with such a serious scandal," university director Tetsuo Yukioka said. "Society is changing rapidly and we need to respond to that, and any organisation that fails to utilise women will grow weak and fail to contribute to society." University officials said they would now "sincerely" consider their response, including the possibility of compensation. But they maintained they were unaware of the manipulation. It is understood the practice of subtracting points from female candidates was done to prevent a shortage of doctors at affiliated hospitals, as some at the medical college believed that female doctors tended to resign or take long periods of leave after getting married or giving birth. As a consequence, the computerised marking system automatically deducted the entrance exam marks for all female applicants. Last month, prosecutors indicted the two top executives at the university on bribery charges. They were charged with allowing the son of a former top education ministry official to be admitted to the school illegally in exchange for favouritism in connection with a government subsidy program. An investigation by the university's in-house lawyers concluded the official's son had his score boosted by up to 49 points. It also showed the scores of men — including those reappearing after failing once or twice — were also raised by at least 10 points. The primary exam had a maximum of 400 points.<doc-sep>The investigation into Tokyo Medical University showed that the scores of men were raised, while those of all women, and men who had failed the test at least three times, were not. Credit:Kyodo News via AP Tokyo: A Japanese medical school deliberately cut women's entrance test scores for at least a decade, an investigation panel says. The panel called it a "very serious" instance of discrimination, but school officials denied having known of the manipulations. 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, a factor behind 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 anger.<doc-sep>
A prominent medical school in Japan on Tuesday admitted to having changed medical scores for years to limit the number of female students. The Tokyo Medical University issued an apology after the results of an internal investigation confirmed the practice, the aim of which was to ensure that more men became doctors, The Guardian reported. The school manipulated exam results from 2006, revealed findings released by lawyers involved in the case. The institution admitted that it should not have manipulated the results and said this would not occur again. The school added that it would consider retroactive admissions for those who had failed to get in because of the manipulations. “We sincerely apologise for the serious wrongdoing involving entrance exams that has caused concern and trouble for many people and betrayed the public’s trust,” said Tetsuo Yukioka, the school’s managing director. “I suspect that there was a lack of sensitivity to the rules of modern society, in which women should not be treated differently because of their gender.” Education Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said his department would conduct an emergency survey, which will scrutinise the entrance procedures of all medical schools in the country, reported Kyodo News. Keisuke Miyazawa, the school’s acting president, said he would discuss with the government the possibility of accepting rejected applicants if they are identified. The Japanese media first reported the matter on August 2, claiming the results were manipulated as the school wanted fewer women doctors as motherhood would either shorten women’s careers or end it. This year the school decreased the first-stage test scores of all applicants by 20% and added at least 20 points to the score of male applicants, reported Japan Today. Male candidates who failed the test four times were not extended this favour. Due to paucity of time, the report only looked at this year’s exam results, said lawyer Kenji Nakai, adding that further investigation would be required. The tampering came to light after the “backdoor entry” of a bureaucrat’s son in exchange for school receiving favourable treatment, Japan Today reported. The student, who has failed the entrance examination three times, was given 20 extra points to allow him to gain admission. The bureaucrat and the former chief of the school have now been accused of bribery. Around 50% of women in Japan have college degrees, one of the highest levels in the world, but they are often discriminated against at workplaces, Japan Today reported. Studies have shown that the percentage of female doctors passing the national medical exam has stagnated at 30% in the last two decades.