The story of the train station that was open only for a student: when he graduated, he closed

For years, a modest train station on the island of Hokkaidonorth of Japan, he operated for a single passenger: a secondary student. The scene seemed unusual, almost a symbol of bureaucratic obstinacy or a failed logistics. But the reason behind its sustained functioning unleashed a wave of public recognition and international coverage: trains stopped in Kami-shirataki exclusively so that the young woman could get to school and return home.

By Cecilia Castro / Infobae

The gesture of maintaining a station only by a student was interpreted as an act of social commitment, where education rose as a central value of Japanese rail policy.

The case of Kami-Shirataki: A Station for a single student

The station was located in a rural area with a decreasing population and with little transport of transport.

However, the company Japan Railwaysoperator of the line, backed down with the decision when she discovered that a teenager used the station every day. Since then, the train only made two daily stops: one to pick it up and another to leave it, as reported RPP News In 2016.

The train station schedules. A climb and a descent (@supersoya)

The case not only caused astonishment for logistics sacrifice, but was read as a symbol of how Japan hierarchizes access to education. Along the same line, Nexofin He stressed: «This measure has been applauded by Japanese citizens since the country’s government has demonstrated that education and transport as a service is a priority.»

To adjust to the young school schedule, the rail operators even modified the service times.

As history viralized in international networks and media, the young woman was subject to constant attention, which complicated her school routine. The local blogger Mint Jam promoted a request to stop harassment: «A large number of trains fans instructions to the student, and even bothering her family,» he wrote in his campaign.

The low population of Hokkaid

Closing of the Station and Final Ceremony

The student graduated in March 2016, and with it came the definitive closure of Kami-Shiraki. There, «a commemorative sign that said ’69 Anniversary Arigatou was placed!» The young woman – identified as Kana Harada18 years old – «he made his last trip and arrived at the station at the edge of six in the afternoon, local time, after going to his school for the end of courses.»

The ceremony was held under a persistent snowfall and temperatures of -5 ° C. They were present officials from Japan Railways, relatives, neighbors and media. Although «it was expected that Harada offered a speech, she omitted any approach with the press and quickly retired from the place with her relatives.»

That same day they also closed two other stations: Kami-shirataki and Shimo-Shiratakiall with more than eight decades of operation. The event was broadcast live by Niconicolive Ginza.

The story of Kami-Shirataki also exposed a broader phenomenon: the decrease in birth and depopulation of rural areas. Japan faces a low fertility rate, which in 2012 was 1.41 children per woman, according to RPP News.

On the island of Hokkaidoat least 20 stations were considered for closing or redirection. «Many stations lines were diverted or closed to achieve efficiency,» he said Jabar.tribunnews. However, in the face of that panorama, the gesture of Japan Railways was read as a remarkable exception: «What Japan Railways has done shows that education is an absolute priority for government and society,» concluded the same medium.