Memories of Miyakejima and Current Crises in the Tokara Islands

On July 6, evacuees from Akusekijima and Kotakarajima islands arrived at Kagoshima Port after being transported by ferry. This event brought back memories of the volcanic eruption that struck Miyakejima island in the Izu chain back in 2000, which sparked a government-led evacuation of all schoolchildren, leaving their parents behind.

Among those children was Keita, a first-grader who boarded the evacuation boat with his sister, expressing his comfort in bringing along his stuffed toy cat. Another child, Sayaka, a third-grader, carried a slip of paper with her parents’ contact information tucked in her backpack; amidst her tears, she resolved not to hide her feelings. Even though those events took place 25 years ago, the emotional turmoil associated with leaving one's home in the face of disaster remains relevant today.

The recent scene of children from the Tokara island chain evacuating, with their large backpacks as they disembarked at Kagoshima Port, was heart-wrenching. These young students were relocated from the earthquake-ridden Akusekijima island. Known for its natural beauty, the Tokara islands are described as “takara” or treasure in an old Edo Period publication, yet this beauty is accompanied by the harsh reality of natural disasters.

Seismic activity in the region has surged significantly since late June, with over 1,600 tremors recorded, leading to concerns about how long the island's residents must endure such instabilities. Looking back at the plight of Miyakejima, children were sheltered in dormitories at a Tokyo high school during their evacuation. A poignant haiku from that time, written by Yuya, a fifth grader, resonated with the spirit of resilience, likening himself to a young fish fighting against a current.

This shared sense of determination likely echoes among the young evacuees from Tokara, and one can only hope for their swift return to a more stable and ordinary way of life. The piece is part of Vox Populi, Vox Dei, a column that explores diverse topics in Japanese culture and society, offering insights into the current landscape through the seasoned voices of Asahi Shimbun writers.