MATSUE, Shimane Pref. (Kyodo) The town of Ama on Nakanoshima Island, one of the Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture is trying to battle depopulation by enriching its educational offerings to bring young people back.

Because the island has no cram school or private tutors, the town has decided to establish a public cram school and invite students from other areas to come study.

The town, which has a population of about 2,400, thrives on cuttlefish and abalone fishing. The prefectural Okidozen Senior High School is the only school of its type in the area, which includes Nishinoshima and Chiburi islands. It has about 90 students enrolled, which is less than half of what it had 10 years ago.