The universities in Japan have recently appeared in the headlines after a government survey revealed that medical schools in the country deliberately admits more men than women. It was since then, that universities are being criticised hugely by the educationists and human rights activists. Just last month, it was revealed that the Tokyo Medical University altered the scores of female applicants to keep them out and allow more male candidates to study, creating heating debate among young professionals and aspirants. At recent, coveted Juntendo University has been questioned over its gender bias admission process. Women Demand Compensation From Tokyo Medical University Over Admissions Row. 

This year, the university received the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s top award for its contribution to female empowerment. Juntendo University has recently admitted setting a higher bar for female applicants to pass the entrance exams. In a conference, the university acknowledged its unfair means but had argued to practise the same as a measure to narrow the wide gap between the abilities of men and women; reported Japan Times. The private Juntendo University further clarified that it set lower pass marks for men in its entrance exam, which included an interview. Japan Medical Schools Deliberately Pass More Men Than Women Says Survey. 

At December 17, press conference, a Juntendo official said, “Women are more mature and have better communication skills than men.” They have been keeping different passing scores for men and women for about the past decade. A social psychology professor at Hiroshima University, Kiriko Sakata told the Japan Times, “That is far too unjust. They are pretending that there are academic grounds (for their practice), but this is nothing more than plain discrimination against women.” Sakata further said that it is inappropriate to apply gender standards when evaluating individual academic skills.

Its score manipulation came in as a surprise to the nation. Wondering about its status upholding women empowerment, media reports claim that in Juntendo University, the number of women doctors have a significant portion in its faculty. The medical department has seen an increase in female employees to 11 in 2017 from only 2 in 2011. This was one of the main reasons that the Tokyo government honoured the university for the female empowerment award.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 17, 2018 04:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).