Remote Japanese train station that stayed open for a student closes

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A remote train station located in Hokkaido, Japan, which made recent headlines around the world after it continued its operations despite serving a lone passenger, has finally closed its doors.

According to reports, Kyu-Shirataki station stayed open to serve high school student Kana Harada, who rides the train to go to school every day.

However, last March 25, the station was closed following Harada’s graduation, Rocket News reported on Sunday.

A simple ceremony, which included a procession of residents, marked the closure of the said station that served the community for the past 69 years.

Aside from Kyu-Shirataki station, two other less used stations—Kami-Shirataki and Shimo-shirataki—were also closed.

Japan Railways was supposed to close the three stations last year, however, upon learning Harada’s plight, it deferred the closure of the stations until her graduation in March. AJH/RAM