A confusing question on the annual university entrance exam featuring hippopotamus-like creatures and Nordic languages left many Japanese high school students scratching their heads.
The controversial multiple-choice question in the geography section of the National Center Test for University Admissions, which took place over the weekend, asked students to identify the setting and corresponding language spoken by the Moomins, the main characters in a popular series of picture books and comics by Finnish author Tove Jansson. Answers made public after the test gave the correct choice as Finland and Finnish, despite the fact that the setting is never made clear in the stories.
The question quickly gained attention on social media, with many commentators expressing criticism. The outcome of the test is often the most important determinant in the university admissions process, with one incorrect answer having the potential to be the difference between attending university or spending another year preparing for the subsequent year's test.