Newly staffed station connects with foreign students learning Japanese

Local residents in Osaki, a city in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, have taken on the role of station attendants at a previously unmanned train station. The city's public Japanese language school, a rare institution nationwide, has reintroduced staff personnel to the train station in an effort to foster community ties and support international students. By increasing ridership, the city aims to maintain the line as a vital transportation hub for local residents.

The Osaki City Japanese Language School, opened in April 2025, has organized its class schedule around the train schedule to encourage students to use the railway. Around 60 students, including those from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Taiwan, take the local train two stops from Furukawa Station, which is now staffed. Koichi Takahashi, a 60-year-old local resident, has been working as a ticket handler since June, greeting students and ensuring their smooth journey to the school.

The introduction of station attendants has helped dispel concerns about foreign students not adhering to local manners. Instead, residents now gather on a 500-meter road from the station to the school, fostering interaction and enhancing the quality of life for locals. Masato Ito, a senior lecturer at the International University of Japan, emphasizes the importance of staffing the station to revitalize the region and improve residents' satisfaction in life.