This is an incredible and heart-warming story that must be told. The train network in Japan is run by the Japan railways. About three years ago they had decided to shut down the Kami-Shirataki train station in the northernmost island of Hokkaido, Japan. At that time, ridership at the Kami-Shirataki station had dramatically fallen because of its remote location, and freight service had ended there as well.
They were going to start the shut-down process, when railway employees in the region noticed that the station was still being used every day by just one high-schooler. So guess what…they decided to keep the station open for her until she graduates! Incredible - isn’t it? The railway officials even adjusted the train’s timetable according to the girl’s schedule.
And so, for nearly three years now, there’s been only one passenger waiting at the Kami-Shirataki train station in Japan; the high-school girl, on her way to class. The train stops there twice a day- once to pick up the girl and again to drop her off after the school day is over. The unnamed girl is expected to graduate this March, which is when the station will finally be closed.
Now that’s what we call “putting education first”! Our salutes and cheers to the Japan Railways!
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