Some evacuees from quake-hit Japanese remote island chain returning home
Since June 21, seismic activity has intensified around the Tokara island chain. Evacuations started on July 4 on a voluntary basis among residents of the islands of Akusekijima and Kodakarajima.
The islets are part of Toshima Village in Kagoshima Prefecture.
As of Wednesday, a total of 67 islanders were staying in hotels in Kagoshima City on the main island of Kyushu, and elsewhere.
Amid increasing requests to return home, 16 Akusekijima residents boarded a village-run ferry at the Kagoshima port.
A fisherman in his 70s expressed concern, saying: "I'm still worried about tremors continuing in the region. I left my fishing boat at sea and thought it would be safer to move it ashore because of typhoons and other risks. I want to thank the people who offered me various kinds of support during the evacuation."
The ferry left the port at 11 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive on Akusekijima Island after 9 a.m. on Thursday.
Village officials say some residents who wished to return home said their children felt stressed from staying for a long time in a hotel. Others said they were now able to sleep well and their health had improved.
The village says more people are requesting to return on a ferry due to leave the port on Friday. It says it will work to grasp who wish to return, and continue to provide them with support.
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