Akusekijima Residents Return Home Amidst Earthquakes and Typhoon Concerns

Akusekijima, a small volcanic island near Kagoshima Prefecture, is experiencing significant seismic activity. The region is known for its frequent earthquakes.

On the evening of July 16, sixteen residents who had been evacuated from Akusekijima boarded a ferry to return to their homes. Despite the ongoing earthquakes, which have numbered over 2,000 in recent weeks, some evacuees chose to return. Their primary concern was the approaching typhoon and the desire to prepare for it.

The Tokara island chain, including Akusekijima, has been experiencing frequent earthquakes since June 21, including a powerful one. The village of Toshima offered voluntary evacuations from July 4. Fifty-two residents of Akusekijima accepted the offer and sought shelter in Kagoshima and other locations.

As of July 16, before the return of the sixteen villagers, eighteen residents remained on the island. The village had established a guideline for allowing evacuees to return, requiring five consecutive days without an earthquake registering an intensity of 4 or greater. However, a quake with an intensity of 4 was recorded on July 16.

Mayor Genichiro Kubo stated that evacuation was not mandatory and that the village respected the wishes of the island residents. He also noted that some evacuees expressed a desire to return, citing the absence of earthquakes with an intensity of 5 or greater and the difficulties of living in evacuation.

Kazunori Arikawa, who runs a guesthouse on Akusekijima, decided to return home as the number of earthquakes decreased. The daily number of earthquakes had dropped from over 100 to 40 on July 14 and 31 on July 15. Arikawa expressed his concern for the island and his desire to prepare for the typhoon. He also mentioned the lack of activities while staying in Kagoshima.

On the island, residents live in close proximity, sharing responsibilities like garbage collection and power plant maintenance, and supporting each other. Arikawa stated his desire to return and see the faces of his community, emphasizing the familial bond among the islanders. He also mentioned that he might evacuate again depending on his health.