noun
examination war; fierce competition for university entrance
Metaphorical term for the intense, war-like competition among students preparing for university entrance exams in Japan. Often used in discussions of education pressure.
日本の受験戦争は年々厳しくなっていると言われている。
It is said that Japan's examination war is getting tougher every year.
彼は受験戦争を勝ち抜いて、第一志望の大学に合格した。
He survived the examination war and was accepted into his first-choice university.
Compound of 受験 (taking an entrance exam) and 戦争 (war), metaphorically likening the fierce competition for university admission to a war.