Overview
- The Education Ministry said on Jan. 20 it notified the National Center and universities on Jan. 19 to reinforce anti-cheating measures.
- The guidance instructs proctors to require devices be powered off and bagged before exams, to monitor hand positions and eye lines, and to add assistant monitors when needed.
- Seven examinees were disqualified during the Jan. 17–18 common tests across Tokyo, Miyagi, Chiba, Gifu, and Fukuoka, with three cases involving smartphones.
- Specific incidents included a Fukuoka examinee seen using a phone held between the feet with about 200 question images found and no send history, a Chiba test-taker viewing a Japanese history web page during a civics exam, and a Miyagi case using calculator and search functions during a math exam.
- The National Center formally banned smartphones, smart glasses, and smartwatches starting in 2025, yet comprehensive communications blocking remains unrealized due to an estimated 100 billion yen cost.