News On Japan

Uragawa Elementary Closes After 151 Years as Last School in Hamamatsu District Shuts Down

HAMAMATSU, Mar 25 (News On Japan) - Uragawa Elementary School in Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, closed its doors after 151 years, marking the end of an era for the Uragawa district. Established in 1874, the school was the last remaining elementary school in the area, where there were once four.

With its closure, both elementary and junior high schools have now disappeared from the district.

"Wow, it’s been so long. It still looks the same," said one former student, reunited with old friends at the school nestled in the mountainous Sakuma area of Hamamatsu.

A total of around 400 people, including seven current students, alumni, and local residents, attended the closing ceremony held on March 23rd.

During the ceremony, all seven students took the stage to share their memories and words of gratitude.

"It makes me very sad because the playground, the oak tree—so many memories are here," said one student. Another added, "Even when I grow up, I want to make use of what I learned here—how to speak up and how to stay connected with the community."

With three sixth graders set to graduate in March 2025, only four students will remain in the next school year. As a result, Uragawa Elementary will be merged with nearby Sakuma Elementary School.

"I want to make lots of new friends and do well in school," said one child. Another added, "I’ll work hard until I can play soccer properly."

Founded in 1874 during the Meiji era, Uragawa Elementary once had over 900 students in the late 1950s. But the student population steadily declined due to the broader trend of depopulation.

"It’s sad to see my old school disappear," said a graduate. Another expressed hope for the future: "I want the current students to enjoy their time even after the merger with Sakuma Elementary."

The ceremony ended with everyone singing the school song together. With the closure of Uragawa Elementary, the last remaining elementary school in the region, all local schools—elementary and junior high—have now closed in the Uragawa district.

Source: SBSnews6

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Scholars affiliated with the Science Council of Japan formed a symbolic human chain in front of the National Diet building on May 8th, calling for revisions to the government’s proposed reform bill targeting the council’s structure, as deliberations enter their final phase in the Diet.

Across Japan, road collapses have been occurring with increasing frequency, often blamed on aging infrastructure. In one recent incident in Ashioshi, Saitama Prefecture, a truck was swallowed by a gaping sinkhole.

Two men who were arrested for forcibly entering an elementary school in Tachikawa City, Tokyo, and assaulting staff members have been identified as friends of a student's mother. One of the suspects denies the charges, claiming he was only brushing people off after being restrained.

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom in Wakkanai and Kushiro, marking the near completion of Japan's cherry blossom front for 2025.

As many in Japan returned to work or school on May 7th following the Golden Week holiday, a growing number are reporting post-holiday fatigue and sleep deprivation—conditions that experts warn may point to deeper sleep-related issues.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Education NEWS

Gifu’s Mino City has announced that elementary schools will no longer issue report cards for first and second graders starting this academic year, citing concerns over unnecessary feelings of inferiority and the difficulty of report card language for young children.

Tokyo International School has announced plans to relocate to a new, purpose-built campus in Takanawa Gateway City, with the move scheduled for August 2026. The relocation marks a major milestone in the school's growth strategy, aimed at expanding its educational offerings and embracing Tokyo’s emerging innovation district.

Japan’s child population has declined for the 44th consecutive year, reaching the lowest level since comparable records began in 1950, according to government estimates released ahead of Children's Day on May 5th.

Head lice, small parasitic insects that feed on blood from the scalp, are once again spreading among children in Japan as physical contact increases following the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sapporo, where outbreaks have been reported in schools, local officials are urging caution.

A medical certificate, which is frequently a straightforward document, has several vital functions and is important. It mainly certifies a person's health and is essential in several circumstances, including school enrollment, employment applications, and even acquiring legal licenses.

Kyoto Notre Dame Women's University, a prestigious all-women’s college with over 60 years of history, has announced that it will stop accepting new students from next academic year.

The animated historical series Kings and Generals continues its in-depth exploration of Japanese history with a new series focused on the Sengoku Jidai period. (Kings and Generals)

The rules surrounding benefits for parents on childcare leave were tightened in April due to concerns over the practice known as 'aiming to miss nursery placement.'