The education ministry raided on Monday the head office of a public-interest corporation for administering kanji aptitude tests over allegations it engaged in illegal business practices.
Ministry officials searched the headquarters of the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation to review financial reports and other documents. The foundation's head, Noboru Okubo, is alleged to have been at the center of the illegal practices.
According to ministry officials, the Kyoto-based body, which is allowed to seek strictly limited profits, posted hefty gains of ¥1.5 billion over two years from fiscal 2006 amid the ever-growing popularity of kanji examinations.