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Tokyo Medical University chooses 1st woman president after sexism scandal

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The choice of a woman to lead the university after the scandal is believed be an attempt to limit the Tokyo Medical University's damaged reputation and recover public trust.

Well and good, and here is hoping that it's not just a "figure head" appointment and she is allowed to make any and all necessary changes to eliminate discrimination at the University!

15 ( +15 / -0 )

The head of a university or any other leading position should be determined on qualifications, knowledge and skill. Gender should not be any part of the proceedings. This is where Japan fails miserably. Was this woman given the job because of her gender or because she is the right person for the job?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Was this woman given the job because of her gender or because she is the right person for the job?

Sounds like the right person for the job right now was a woman. So maybe it was both.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Was this woman given the job because of her gender or because she is the right person for the job?

Really? Why does everybody say this when a woman reaches a position of power. Is it so unthinkable that a woman be intelligent and hard working? I never see anybody questioning men about if they were chosen just because they're men. (which probably actually happens a lot more often than the reverse.)

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Congratulation, hopefully she can institute same changes and help to start to fix the bigger issue of female inequality.

On a side note, the Japanese (TV) news needs to report this more, they talk about it for 20 seconds and moved on, and now they are talking about this weirdo 7/11 employee for 20 minutes. Where is the priorities Japanese (TV)? Ridiculous.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Jenna, I have to disagree with you. I have work in Japan for many, many years and as Japan promotes a lot based on seniority, males are often place in positions of discussion making without any skill and/or knowledge of their industry. One clear example is me training my boss. Because of his age he was placed as Bucho with no knowledge of the industry.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Oh well, that makes it all all right then.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

While I applaud her appointment, I truly do hope this is not a choice being made to somehow deflect criticism and reduce pressure on this university to correct its practices.

That is not meant to be a reflection on Dr. Hayashi. It is just more of my cynicism as to how Japanese organizations respond when they get "busted". Superficial changes meant to placate rather than fundamental changes.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

"Really? Why does everybody say this when a woman reaches a position of power."

Because it happened seconds after they got their hand caught in the cookie jar. It feels just a tad reactionary, can you not at least admit that.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It feels just a tad reactionary

Um yeah, they had a scandal. Are you suggesting they should not react to that?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Jenna Mary Ellen Kelly - Really? Why does everybody say this when a woman reaches a position of power. Is it so unthinkable that a woman be intelligent and hard working

Hey! Jump off your feminist horse and read the comment again. Nobody is doubting her skills or qualifications. They are only doubting the selection process. The same doubts are applied to anybody regardless of gender. Furthermore, the way the article is written it implies she was only given the job as a way to make amends for the school’s blatant sexism and preferential treatment to males. It mentions nothing about her qualifications or skills.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The school had also padded the scores of some applicants with alumni parents to garner donations.

This comment worries me a little more than the one about docking points off women and people who fail the test more than a couple of times. Of course, blocking potentially great doctors from becoming doctors is terrible, but the thought that they are helping unintelligent (but rich) kids become possibly sub-par doctors is DANGEROUS.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Hey! Jump off your feminist horse and read the comment again. Nobody is doubting her skills or qualifications. They are only doubting the selection process. The same doubts are applied to anybody regardless of gender. Furthermore, the way the article is written it implies she was only given the job as a way to make amends for the school’s blatant sexism and preferential treatment to males. It mentions nothing about her qualifications or skills.

Perhaps you should jump off you high horse and read the article again since that is all addressed there. It DOES mention her qualifications and skills and clearly states that the process of her appointment is normal.

Qualifications? She is a senior professor, head of their Pathophisiology department, deputy head of the centre for genetic diagnosis. No red flags there.

Process? She was elected by the faculty like any other president and will have to be approved by the board if regents like any other. No red flags there either.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Cracks, meet paper!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

determined on qualifications, knowledge and skill. Gender should not be any part of the proceedings.

unfortunately women cant get the necessary qualifications, knowledge and skills required if theyre only allowed to fill 30% of the spaces provided, regardless of their intelligence and examination results. Its not a mans right to dictate the future careers of women because they assume theyll all eventually be housewives and mothers.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Was this woman given the job because of her gender or because she is the right person for the job?

Really? Why does everybody say this when a woman reaches a position of power. Is it so unthinkable that a woman be intelligent and hard working? I never see anybody questioning men about if they were chosen just because they're men. (which probably actually happens a lot more often than the reverse.)

I say it about men and women that don't deserve to be in power. It isn't about race or sex, it's about being competent. Hire based on skill, not based on seniority or the current scandal or issue plaguing the organization. In Japan it happens all too often.

The reason why people question it is because it so "conveniently" happened as soon as there was a problem. Hopefully the woman is more than skilled enough to fill the position, or at least given absolute power. Otherwise it's just a complete farce.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Jenna, I have to disagree with you. I have work in Japan for many, many years and as Japan promotes a lot based on seniority, males are often place in positions of discussion making without any skill and/or knowledge of their industry. One clear example is me training my boss. Because of his age he was placed as Bucho with no knowledge of the industry.

How is that disagreeing with me? Isn't that what I said? That more men reach positions of seniority without qualifications than women?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

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