Exam cheating creates ripples in Japan
Source: Agencies |
March 5, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
JAPAN is engaging in soul-searching after police arrested a 19-year-old accused of cheating during a prestigious university's entrance examination by using his mobile phone to post questions on a popular online forum and get outside help.
The brazen nature of the alleged offense and its use of new technology has shocked many in Japan, which takes pride in its culture prizing honesty and hard work.
It also raised questions over whether the country's top universities - the gateway to top jobs in Japan's corporate culture - have adapted to the Internet's new opportunities for cheating.
The arrest of the student taking the Kyoto University exam was the top story in major newspapers yesterday and on TV news shows. Japanese media say he could become the first person to be prosecuted in the country for cheating.
"It's not a mere cheating case," an editorial in the Mainichi newspaper said. "The impact of the wrongful use of Internet capable of massively spreading information instantly."
Police said they arrested the student on Thursday on suspicion that he obstructed business through fraudulent means. If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison or a fine of 500,000 yen (US$6,000).
His name has been withheld because he is a minor under Japanese law, and he hasn't been officially charged.
The suspect admitted to the wrongdoing, and will be sent to prosecutors today. Police suspect that he also used similar cheating tactics at three other top universities - Doshisha, Waseda and Rikkyo.
Admission to top universities, seen as a requirement to a good job in government or business, is determined by applicants' performance in grueling entrance exams, and youth face enormous pressure preparing for them.
The brazen nature of the alleged offense and its use of new technology has shocked many in Japan, which takes pride in its culture prizing honesty and hard work.
It also raised questions over whether the country's top universities - the gateway to top jobs in Japan's corporate culture - have adapted to the Internet's new opportunities for cheating.
The arrest of the student taking the Kyoto University exam was the top story in major newspapers yesterday and on TV news shows. Japanese media say he could become the first person to be prosecuted in the country for cheating.
"It's not a mere cheating case," an editorial in the Mainichi newspaper said. "The impact of the wrongful use of Internet capable of massively spreading information instantly."
Police said they arrested the student on Thursday on suspicion that he obstructed business through fraudulent means. If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison or a fine of 500,000 yen (US$6,000).
His name has been withheld because he is a minor under Japanese law, and he hasn't been officially charged.
The suspect admitted to the wrongdoing, and will be sent to prosecutors today. Police suspect that he also used similar cheating tactics at three other top universities - Doshisha, Waseda and Rikkyo.
Admission to top universities, seen as a requirement to a good job in government or business, is determined by applicants' performance in grueling entrance exams, and youth face enormous pressure preparing for them.
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