Education Japan's longest-named school closes its gates

[thomas]

高知県宿毛市愛媛県南宇和郡愛南町篠山小中学校組合立篠山小・中学校
Kōchi-ken Shukuge-shi Ehime-ken Minamiuwa-gun Ainanchō Sasayama Shōchūgakkō Kumiai Tachi Sasayamako Chūgakkō

That's the official name of Japan's longest-named school, located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, which will - sadly - suspend classes in the 2026 school year and close permanently in the 2027 school year.

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The school was established as a rare joint venture between Kōchi and Ehime prefectures, reflecting the area's geography and social history. The Shino River runs alongside the school grounds and forms the prefectural boundary, but communities on both banks have long been closely connected. As a result, children from both prefectures were able to attend the same school. At its height, the combined elementary and junior high school had an enrollment of about 300 pupils. Over time, however, depopulation and a falling birthrate have steadily reduced the number of new students. Today, only nine remain, with three in elementary school and six in junior high school. With no realistic expectation of numbers increasing, the authorities have decided to suspend the school from the 2026 academic year, followed by permanent closure the year after.

Japan’s Longest-Named School to Suspend Classes in 2026 and Close

Japan’s longest-named school, Kochi Prefecture Sukumo City Ehime Prefecture Minamiuwa District Ainan Town Shinozan Elementary and Junior High School Union–operated Shinozan Elementary and Junior High School, located in Ainan Town at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, has decided to...

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