The list appeared in the December 25 issue of the weekly magazine "Spa!" and prompted outrage, particularly online where one woman launched a campaign seeking an apology and suspension of sales of the offending issue.

Her petition on the change.org platform accused the article of "sexualising, objectifying and disrespecting women" and had collected support from more than 28,000 people by Tuesday.

"We would like to apologise for using sensational language to appeal to readers about how they can become intimate with women and for creating a ranking... with real university names... that resulted in a feature that may have offended readers," the magazine's editorial department said in a statement obtained by AFP.

The article was about a practice the magazine described as "gyaranomi" or drinking parties that male participants pay women to attend.

It said the parties are popular among female college students and interviewed the developer of an app intended to help men and women find potential attendees.

The magazine said its list was based on information from its interview with the developer.

"On issues that involve sex, we will do what we can as a magazine to listen to various opinions," the statement said.

There was no indication that the offending issue would be taken off the shelves.

Japan ranks bottom of the G7 countries on female representation in politics and business, and campaigns like the #MeToo movement have struggled to take off in the country.

Last year, a leading medical university admitted it had routinely lowered the scores of female applicants to keep