TOKYONovember 5 (News On Japan) – In recent years, approximately 450 schools have been closed annually in Japan, with about 20% remaining unused. These unused schools may be demolished as maintenance becomes unsustainable, prompting a response from the Ministry of Education, which has launched matching venues and events to promote new uses.
The trend is clearly visible in the city of Kasumigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture, about a 1.5-hour drive from Tokyo. Here, falling birth rates have led to school closures: six of seventeen schools closed eight years ago, followed by another four closures two years ago.
Commenting on the challenges, Kasumigaura City Real Estate Supervisor Tsuge Toshinori noted: โThe maintenance of each school costs approximately one million yen per year, including costs for security, water, utilities and contracting weed control services.โ
At the national level, the Ministry of Education has made several attempts to repurpose these facilities. It has created a matching website and organizes events that link municipalities and private companies to sustainable applications for former school properties.
A local government official said at a matching event: “There are not many properties with direct sea views.”
One industry representative added: โWe want to create a ‘future playground’,โ while another expressed interest in โrevitalizing the area through learning activities.โ
Successful matches have already taken place in Kasumigaura City. For example, the former Saga Primary School is now rented to a camping operator for one million yen per year.
A visitor says: โIt is unique to be able to camp on a former schoolyard.โ
Another staff member commented: ‘People often say how nostalgic it is: seeing the blackboards, the little chairs. It feels like a waste when places full of memories, like the school I went to, fall into disrepair.โ
The city has also leased a former school to a construction equipment manufacturer for research and development purposes for 2.64 million yen per year. Renovations are underway and the location will open next spring.
A representative from Hitachi Construction Machinery said: โWe aim to retain as much of the original character of the school as possible for long-term use.โ
In addition, four former schools in Kasumigaura town have been transformed into public facilities, including community centers. However, despite these efforts, three schools in the city remain closed. Nationally, about 20% of closed schools still remain unused, with some eventually being demolished due to inadequate maintenance.
Tsuge, supervisor of Kasumigaura City Property, said: “It’s really a shame.”
Efforts are underway across the country to find new uses for these buildings through public-private partnerships.
Source: TBS
