Yuto Sato 
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Wang Likun (27), a Chinese national and graduate student at Kyoto University, was arrested for attempting to take the TOEIC exam while impersonating another person.
In May, Tokyo's Nakano Police Station received a tip from the test operator who reported suspicious activity. Specifically, some examinees were seen using identical photos under different names. That prompted police to launch an investigation.
On May 18, undercover officers were stationed at a test site in Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, when Wang arrived wearing a mask to conceal his identity. As expected, he approached the reception desk and claimed, "I forgot my test admission ticket." Police apprehended him on the spot.
Exploiting Good Faith
In Japan, university entrance exams and other qualification tests often allow examinees who forget their admission ticket to receive a provisional one. Typically, they do not conduct strict identity checks.
The system operates on a presumption of good faith, prioritizing access to the test over concerns about potential cheating. But this leniency appears to have been exploited by a group of perpetrators. Believed to be Chinese nationals, they took advantage of the loophole for fraudulent purposes.
A fluent English speaker posing as someone else would use the provisional slip to gain entry into the test site. Once inside, they would attempt to relay answers to a fellow "compatriot" seated in the same room.
Since TOEIC assigns test venues based on postal codes, the accomplices coordinated their applications carefully. They all registered using the same address to ensure they'd be placed at the same location and could sit the exam together. In total, 43 individuals, including Wang, had listed that single address.
Microphone Hidden in Mask
The mask Wang wore to hide his identity contained a small embedded microphone. Authorities suspect he used the device to transmit answers to his accomplices. He is believed to have been recruited through an illicit part-time job scheme. He was reportedly taking instructions from a Chinese-speaking handler.
The case offers a glimpse into the wider business of fraudulent test-taking. It highlights how Japan's lenient verification procedures are turning it into a target for overseas applicants seeking academic credentials.
Wang also took the TOEIC at a different Tokyo venue this past March. At that time, ten individuals registered using the same address.
TOEIC is widely recognized in Japan and often used for university admissions, job applications, and even to waive English exam requirements at the graduate level.
Just the Tip of the Iceberg?
In China, high TOEIC scores are considered a valuable asset for career advancement in both the public and private sectors. As a shortcut to securing these credentials, cheating through stand-in test takers and other methods has become widespread. Chinese social media is saturated with posts from vendors offering such illicit services.
However, according to journalist Zhou Laiyou, who closely tracks developments in China, cheating has become increasingly difficult. This is largely due to the introduction of AI-powered facial recognition and fingerprint authentication in testing environments.
Those who are caught face harsh penalties, including prison sentences.
In contrast, Japan has yet to adopt fundamental countermeasures, such as blocking smartphone signals during exams, despite a string of cheating scandals.
Some observers warn that the cases uncovered so far may be just the tip of the iceberg. Zhou cautions:
"As the United States, which has long accepted large numbers of Chinese students, begins tightening restrictions, more may look to nearby Japan as a destination to obtain academic credentials."
He emphasized the urgent need for Japan to bolster its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
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Author: Yuto Sato, The Sankei Shimbun
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