Japanese man rejected by all-women university to sue

A young Japanese man who was rejected by an all-women university where he wanted to study nutrition is suing the college over gender discrimination, reports said yesterday.

In what is believed to be the first case in Japan challenging the constitutionality of a publicly run women's university, the man is seeking a ruling that would allow him to take an entrance exam at Fukuoka Women's University, the Asahi Shimbun reported.

"Not allowing men to take the exam violates Article 14 of the constitution which proclaims equality before the law," said the man, who was not identified in the report. He also wants 500,000 yen (HK$33,000) compensation.

Kyodo News cited his lawyer as saying: "In the past, women's universities had the role of giving preferential treatment to women who had fewer opportunities for education, but that role is no longer necessary."

Earlier this month, the plaintiff applied to the university's food sciences department for a course that would result in a dietitian's licence, the reports said.

Fukuoka Women's University was the only public institution in the area to offer the course, and the young man could not afford to apply to a private college, the Asahi reported.