FLICKR, ROBERT CUDMOREA University of Tokyo panel is recommending that former university scientist Shigeaki Kato withdraw 43 scientific papers, according to the Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper.

The recommendations are the result of an investigation that was triggered last year (January 2012) when an anonymous tipster made a Youtube video chronicling allegedly fraudulent manipulations made to figures in Kato’s papers. Kato resigned from his position at the university in March 2012. According to Retraction Watch, five papers by Kato have already been retracted.

The University of Tokyo told ScienceInsider that the panel’s report has not yet been released and did not confirm the assertions made by Asahi Shumbun.

According to the Japanese newspaper, the committee reviewed 165 papers and found questionable material in 43 of them. The problems included duplicated and reversed images, as well as forgery.

Kato told Asahi Shumbun that he planned to...

The Asahi Shumbun noted that some of Kato’s collaborators who got their degrees based on the questionable papers could have them revoked. More than 20 scientists were coauthors on the 43 papers.

Interested in reading more?

The Scientist ARCHIVES

Become a Member of

Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!