The face of science has changed. Women are currently at the forefront of numerous areas with men. Women play an equal role in society as males. They are the backbone of every nation. For the first time, women’s admittance rates in Japanese medical schools have surpassed those of men.
“When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.” – Michelle Obama
Last spring, 13.6 percent of female candidates passed tests at 81 Japanese medical schools, according to data from Japan’s education ministry. On the other hand, 13.51 percent of men cleared the same exams.
“It has become clear that the acceptance rate will not be low only for female applicants,” a Japanese education ministry official told Kyodo news agency.
Women students: 30% only
This comes following a score-rigging scandal involving Tokyo Medical University’s admittance procedures. It systematically reduced female applicants’ entrance exam results for years to keep them out and increase the number of male doctors.
There was a spike in the number of successful female entrants in 2010. Since then, the institution began lowering the scores of female candidates in 2011 to keep the number of women students at around 30% only.
An internal probe into a graft allegation that surfaced last spring season uncovered the exam score changes.
As per university officials published by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, a “strong sense at the school” that many women quit medicine after graduation to marry and have children drove the measure.
Fumio Azuma, a spokesperson at Tokyo Medical University, said an internal inquiry had already begun; following allegations of bribery regarding the medical school admission of the son of a top education ministry official last spring.
“Of course, we’ll ask them to include this in their investigations,” he said. Thereby, adding that while the first investigation’s results are due this month. But he has no idea when the investigation into the latest charges will end.
“Where women can shine”
Despite Japan’s dropping birthrate, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has made establishing a society “where women can shine” a priority. However, women still face an uphill struggle in the workplace and obstacles returning to work after having children.
According to a 2018 poll by the health ministry, only 21.9 percent of doctors are female. It is the lowest percentage among nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The average was 46 percent in 2015.