It came to light that medical schools in Japan were discriminating against women applicants when Tokyo Medical University admitted to manipulating test scores so it was easier for males to be accepted into their medical school. Now, two more medical schools, Juntendo University and Kitasato University, are also admitting that men with lower test scores were being accepted while women were required to have higher test scores. This discrimination was occurring because they desired to have more males entering the medical profession.
The medical universities involved in this scandal tried to excuse their actions arguing that women’s inclination to mature faster than men was considered in evaluating test scores and resulted in this inequality. Male applicants “needed the help”. Kitasota University actually broadcasted on their website that male applicants are preferable. Women’s dormitories at Juntendo University are smaller and unable to house as many women as men’s dormitories can house.
Tokyo University was involved in the biggest scandal of all, actually modifying test scores so women were less likely to be accepted into medical school. These allegations were combated with more irrelevant and infuriating excuses. They argue that women are more likely to quit their jobs once having children or getting married, stating that women create staff shortages.
Women are fighting back and demanding financial compensation over the stress and expenses that resulted from the potentially manipulated test scores. Now 81 universities are being investigated for manipulation of test scores.
Spokespeople from the accused universities argue that they found it reasonable to select applicants at their own discretion, but now apologize for the unfairness and vow to stop it from continuing.
Scandals like these make it apparent that gender equality is still an issue in developed countries. In Japan the government is working to raise the profile of working women that now make up 43% of their work force, yet still are underrepresented in high paying positions such as medicine.
The fact that the representation of these universities argued that this discrimination based upon gender was because women had an “genetic advantage” is laughable. It is clear that men still dominate high paying positions, particularly at these universities, because they do not see the obvious fault with altering test scores or weighting them differently.