Japanese columnist caught in university fib

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Yoshikazu Kato, one of the best-known Japanese columnists in China, has apologized to Chinese readers after confessing on his micro blog that he exaggerated his educational background.

"In my previous remarks, either publicly or privately, I mentioned that I was admitted as a student of the University of Tokyo but I turned down the opportunity, which is not the truth. I apologize for the confusion and misunderstanding caused by my immaturity, arrogance and ignorance. And I will try my best to endeavor to become a more trustworthy person," Yoshikazu wrote Wednesday on Sina Weibo, a Chinese micro-blogging website.

Yoshikazu, 28, came to China in 2003 as an overseas student at Peking University. After receiving a bachelor's degree and master's degree there, he became a producer, emcee, and later a columnist for a Chinese website owned by the Financial Times, and gained popularity for his observations on Sino-Japan policies.

In May 2008, President Hu Jintao received Yoshikazu at Peking University; Yoshikazu was a representative of overseas students at the university.

Yoshikazu has published several books, translated a Japanese book into Chinese and has given hundreds of media interviews.

The revelations about Yoshikazu came to light several months after he left China to take a research position at Harvard University in the US.

On Wednesday, Japanese media Shukan Bunshun wrote a story about Yoshikazu, accusing him of lying to Chinese media about his admission to the University of Tokyo.

Huang Xueqing, of China National Radio in Japan, also said that Yoshikazu wrote in his book published in China that he was a government-sponsored student of Japan. But in his book published in Japan, Yoshikazu said it was China's Education Ministry that sponsored his study.

Zhu Feng, a professor who taught Yoshikazu at Peking University, was quoted on Thursday by China National Radio saying: "Yoshikazu is a smart young man, but as his teacher, I had the impression that he tends to boast sometimes."

Whether Yoshikazu had or had not been admitted to the University of Tokyo would not have influenced Peking University's decision to admit him, said one faculty member at Peking University in charge of international student admission.

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.