Hankyu Railway Ishibashi Station to become Ishibashi handai-mae Station on Tuesday, October 1, 2019

On July 30, 2019, Hankyu Corporation announced that it would change the name of Ishibashi Station on the Takarazuka and Minoh lines of Hankyu Railway to Ishibashi handai-mae Station on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

Note: "Handai" is the Japanese nickname of Osaka University and the new name indicates that the station is the nearest station to Osaka University (specifically, its Toyonaka Campus).

Each of Osaka University’s 3 campuses (Toyonaka, Suita, and Minoh) in the Hokusetsu region of northern Osaka Prefecture sees many visitors from Japan and overseas. Osaka University has requested name changes to related parties of the closest railway stations to each of Osaka University's campuses so that visitors can more easily locate the campuses.

Toward the Osaka University’s 90th and Osaka University of Foreign Studies’ 100th Anniversary in 2021, Osaka University has created the slogan “Connect, Coalesce, Compassion” to show its determination for promoting a variety of attractive activities for local communities and industries. This name change is part of OU's endeavors to enhance its relationship with local community.

The reason for Ishibashi Station’s name change is “to revitalize the area around the station and enhance the value of the Hokusetsu region in northern Osaka Prefecture,” for which Osaka University is exceedingly grateful.

Under its motto of “Live Locally, Grow Globally,” Osaka University constantly strives to further its globalization and enhance co-creation with the region . The university hopes that this station name change will strengthen the bonds between the university and local residents while leading to even further revitalization of both the university and the region.

We would like to thank all those involved for their efforts.