One of Japan’s most prestigious medical universities marked down tests from female applicants as they were considered more likely to leave the profession after getting married and having children.

In a growing scandal that has triggered widespread anger and reflection over gender equality in Japan, Tokyo Medical University was also found to have accepted bribes to inflate the results of “priority” male applicants whose families were linked to the institution.

Critics declared "Japanese society is eating itself alive" as they decried the conclusion of an investigation into the university, with the managing director of the school admitting: "We have betrayed the trust of the public”

The investigation was triggered when prosecutors in July indicted Futoshi Sano, a former director general at the education ministry, on charges of helping the university secure Y35 million (£242,949) in government subsidies in exchange for a place for his son at the college.

The probe quickly ballooned to reveal that a number of male students classified as “priority” applicants - often children of graduates of the university - had their test scores revised upwards to ensure they would have a place at the university and bring in donations from the parents, the report released by the investigators on Tuesday revealed.