How repurposing old schools helps sustain resilience in ageing Japanese communities

Transforming disused schools into facilities such as cultural centres, research spaces or community hubs preserves their importance, attracts new residents and revitalizes local economies in ageing and depopulated areas.

Ageing populations pose a significant global challenge, impacting communities in various ways. In Japan, where birthrates are declining alongside an ageing demographic, approximately 450 school buildings become disused yearly due to closures or consolidations driven by shrinking student enrolment.

Japanese school buildings are more than educational spaces; they serve as hubs for community life. They host events, festivals and playgrounds and have a vital role during natural disasters, functioning as evacuation centres and distribution points for emergency supplies.

When these schools are closed and buildings demolished, communities lose an essential gathering place. This loss can further erode the vitality of communities strained by depopulation and ageing.

By 2021, over 99% of Japan’s public elementary and junior high school buildings had been reinforced to withstand major earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher, highlighting their structural durability.

Additionally, given their capacity to accommodate hundreds of students, repurposing these buildings offers organizations a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to building new facilities. Transforming these spaces can help preserve their significance and revitalize local communities.

In response to the growing number of closed school buildings, Japan’s public and private sectors are collaborating to repurpose these facilities rather than demolish them.

According to the “Casebook on the Utilization of Closed Schools” published by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), there were 7,398 closed school facilities in Japan between 2002 and 2020.

Of these, 5,481 were repurposed. The most common reuse was as educational institutions (excluding universities), accounting for over half or 3,948 facilities.

Other common uses included social facilities for sports, education, cultural and corporate offices, welfare and medical centres and experiential exchange spaces.

To further promote reuse, MEXT launched the “School Buildings for Everyone” project. This initiative consolidates and shares information about closed school facilities available for new purposes, connecting them with companies and organizations seeking spaces for business or other activities.

At the “Closed School Facilities Promotion Event” held in Tokyo and online, 58 facilities from 11 municipalities showcased their properties to potential users and offered detailed explanations to companies and organizations interested in repurposing these spaces.

Government-led initiatives to repurpose closed schools have yielded tangible results, with MEXT’s casebook highlighting 58 successful transformations.

One example is in Wakasa Town in central Japan, where an abandoned school was converted into a fishing village experience facility managed by the Fukui University of Technology.

This facility introduces visitors to local fishing traditions and culture through interactions with community members, fostering engagement and revitalizing the area. The initiative is expected to not only attract visitors but also encourage some to settle permanently or take up roles in the fishing industry.

For the partner university, the facility offers a valuable research platform and an opportunity to draw students interested in related fields.

Other projects showcase the attraction of new businesses, including sake breweries, artificial intelligence research facilities and corporate satellite offices. These ventures attract people and investment from outside the area, creating jobs and stimulating economic activity, which helps breathe new life into depopulated and ageing communities.

Increasingly, companies are also taking their own initiatives to repurpose closed schools.

Notably, MUJI has as part of its mission to revitalize communities. In October 2024, the manufacturer and retailer opened “MUJI BASE” in Otaki Town, Isumi County, just east of Tokyo. This innovative facility repurposes a former elementary school, transforming it into a community-centred hub to promote “the joy of living and coexistence with the community.”

MUJI BASE OTAKI features accommodation facilities, a co-working space, a store and a library that local residents can use. The site also plans to host workshops and events that foster community interaction and revitalization.

Repurposing old school buildings gives ageing communities fresh opportunities while maintaining their role as vital regional hubs.

The World Economic Forum’s Longevity Economy Principles: The Foundation for a Financially Resilient Future highlights the importance of fostering social connections and aligning them with environments where shared objectives ensure resilience in ageing communities.

In addition to minimizing environmental impact, reusing disused schools can catalyze attracting businesses and individuals from outside the community, fostering job creation and revitalizing the local economy.

These efforts enhance resilience in depopulated and ageing areas, safeguarding the community’s identity while fostering long-term sustainability.