Education Japan's longest-named school closes its gates

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.

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