what does "severe" mean in this sentence?

[san2612]

Mayumi doesn't think about going back to live in Japan. "I prefer to raise my children here. In Japan, education is so competitive and severe"

The word "severe" can be best replaced with:

A harsh
B brutal
C rigorous
D cruel

I chose A but the answer is B. I doubt it. How about your opinion?

[Leandro-Z]

I would rather choose the third option. I am not suggesting that option "b" is not appropriate. In fact, it's a synonym. Here are both definitions:

bru·tal / 'bru;tl; NAmE / adjective

1 violent and cruel:
a brutal attack / murder / rape / killing

2 direct and clear about sth unpleasant; not thinking of people’s feelings:
With brutal honesty she told him she did not love him.

rig·or·ous / 'rIgJrJs; NAmE / adjective

1 done carefully and with a lot of attention to detail
SYN THOROUGH:
a rigorous analysis

2 demanding that particular rules, processes, etc. are strictly followed
SYN STRICT:
The work failed to meet their rigorous standards.

[Raymott]

Mayumi doesn't think about going back to live in Japan. "I prefer to raise my children here. In Japan, education is so competitive and severe"

The word "severe" can be best replaced with:

A harsh
B brutal
C rigorous
D cruel

I chose A but the answer is B. I doubt it. How about your opinion?

Any of them could work. I would have chosen C, then A, D, and B last.