Chinese National Caught Cheating on TOEIC Test

May 21, 2025 | News On Japan

KYOTO - A 27-year-old Chinese national enrolled at Kyoto University’s graduate school has been arrested for impersonating another person to take the TOEIC English proficiency exam, in what police suspect may be part of an organized cheating scheme.

The suspect, Wang Likun, was taken into custody on May 18th at a testing site in Tokyo’s Itabashi Ward on suspicion of unlawful entry after he allegedly attempted to take the exam under a false identity. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department had been stationed at the venue following a tip from the test’s administering organization, which had received reports of the same individual registering under different names.

Wang arrived at the site claiming he had forgotten his exam admission slip. After being asked to fill out a replacement, officers questioned him and discovered that the name he provided did not match his actual identity.

A further search revealed a small microphone hidden inside his face mask. Investigators believe he may have been receiving or transmitting answers in real-time during the exam.

Wang was also found to be carrying a student ID under another person’s name but bearing his own photo. He reportedly told authorities he had received the ID from another Chinese person at a Tokyo train station and said, "I wanted to earn some money."

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police are investigating the possibility that Wang was acting as part of a broader cheating ring, including others who may have been directing or benefiting from the operation.

Source: FNN

Double Typhoon Threat Raises Flood Risk Across Japan

Two typhoons south of Japan are expected to bring heavy rain over a wide area before either system makes a direct approach, with Typhoon No. 7, Mekkhala, forecast to near Okinawa and the Sakishima Islands from June 25 and some areas facing total rainfall of 300 to 500 millimeters, or locally more than 500 millimeters.

Rice Field Art of Ohtani Nears Peak Viewing Season

Rice field art depicting Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his dog Decoy is nearing its best viewing period in Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, Ohtani’s hometown.

Inside The Shadow Market For Japan’s Temples And Shrines

The sale of religious corporations that operate temples and shrines across Japan is drawing growing scrutiny from authorities, who fear the transactions could be used for tax evasion and money laundering, as brokers openly advertise properties and corporate status for tens or even hundreds of millions of yen.

Japanese Among 17 Detained in Laos Over Special Fraud Operation

Nine Japanese nationals were among 17 people detained in Laos on suspicion of involvement in a special fraud operation, while Japanese authorities have sought cooperation from Cambodian police over dozens of Japanese citizens believed to have gone missing after traveling to Cambodia.

Japan Moves to Ease Thinner Shortage as Naphtha Shock Hits Builders

Japan will begin a new system on June 23 to sell paint and thinner directly from manufacturers to construction firms and other businesses, aiming to ease supply bottlenecks and curb price increases as worsening conditions in the Middle East make such materials harder to obtain.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Foreign Visitors Experience Japanese School Life

A U.S. family took part in a Japanese school experience program at a former school building in Chiba Prefecture, joining calligraphy, disaster drills, school lunch duty and a sports day-style event in a six-hour program that has attracted more than 200 foreign participants since it began about a year ago.

Hokkaido Horse Town Welcomes Indian Workers

Urakawa, a Hokkaido town of about 10,000 people known as one of Japan's leading thoroughbred breeding centers, is seeing a rapid increase in Indian residents as local farms turn to experienced overseas workers to offset a shrinking pool of Japanese horse trainers.

Ninja Exam Held in Historic Heartland

A certification exam testing knowledge and skills related to ninjas was held in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, a city known as one of Japan's historic ninja centers.

Tokyo Fire Department Releases Shocking Reenactment of Ambulance Crew Assaults

The Tokyo Fire Department has called for greater public cooperation with emergency medical services following a rise in incidents involving interference with ambulance crews, including cases in which paramedics have been assaulted while carrying out rescue operations.

University of Tokyo and TOPPAN Launch AI Innovation Research Center

The University of Tokyo and TOPPAN Holdings announced the establishment of the AI Innovation Research Center, a new initiative aimed at advancing research and development for the practical application of artificial intelligence in society.

Veteran Photographer Documents Changing Bear Behavior

As bear sightings continue at an unusually high pace across Akita Prefecture, a veteran wildlife photographer who has spent nearly 30 years observing and photographing Asian black bears says the animals are appearing more frequently, moving closer to human settlements, and increasingly adapting their behavior to survive.

Blue Angels Cheer Squad Capturing Hearts

The Blue Angels, the cheerleading squad of Joto High School's support and cheering club, are winning over audiences with their sparkling smiles and dynamic performances.

Okinawa Students Support Network to Tackle Menstrual Poverty

A group of university students in Okinawa is working to combat menstrual poverty and improve understanding of menstruation through educational programs aimed at both children and adults, addressing a problem that affects roughly one in three young women in Japan.

< 2 3 4 5 >