OSAKA -- Osaka Metropolitan University apologized Jan. 28 for inappropriate action after a male teacher who was serving as a proctor accompanied a male examinee into a multipurpose restroom, even entering the stall with him, "to prevent cheating" during the Common Test for University Admissions.

According to the university, during the geography, history and civics exam on Jan. 18 at the Nakamozu Campus in the city of Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, a test-taker requested to go to the restroom. After the examinee entered the multipurpose restroom, the proctor followed him into the stall and remained there while he relieved himself, leaving together afterward. The test-taker then returned to the exam.

The National Center for University Entrance Examinations, which oversees the common test, states in its manual that proctors should accompany examinees to the bathroom entrance during exams. When questioned by the university, the proctor reportedly explained that he had entered the stall "from the perspective of preventing cheating."

The incident came to light after the examinee's guardian called the university Jan. 24, saying that the youth "had been frightened." The university apologized to the guardian and posted an overview of the incident, dated Jan. 28, and a statement on its website, saying, "We are sorry for causing anxiety and great discomfort."

Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura stated at a Jan. 29 regular press conference, "It was inappropriate, and we apologize to the examinee and guardian. While the desire to prevent cheating is understandable, the manual specifies accompanying students only to the stall entrance, and we will work to prevent a recurrence."

(Japanese original by Tatsuya Naganuma, Osaka City News Department)