鹿児島かごしま十島としま村むら島外とうがい避難ひなんの悪石島あくせきじまの住民じゅうみん16人じゅうろくにんが16日じゅうろくにち夜よる帰島きとうへ

Kagoshima Prefectures Toshima Village, which has been experiencing a series of earthquakes, has announced that 16 residents of Akusekijima, who had evacuated outside the island to places like Kagoshima City, will return to the island on the night of the 16th by the village-operated ferry.

Toshima Village Mayor Genichiro Kubo held a press conference on the afternoon of the 16th and announced that, among those who evacuated off the island, 16 people from Akusekijima who wish to return will board the village-operated ferry departing from Kagoshima Port in Kagoshima City at 11 p.m. on the 16th to return to the island.

It is said that this includes four children who attend Akusekijima Gakuen, a compulsory education school.

People who wish to return to the island have expressed concerns such as: a family member left on the island is taking care of the cows alone and they are worried; the prolonged stay in hotels is causing stress for their children; but there are also comments that they have been able to sleep and their health has improved.

The village has stated that residents will decide whether to return to the island if no earthquakes of intensity 4 or higher occur for more than five days, but on Akusekijima, earthquakes of intensity 4 have continued for 16 days.

Regarding this, Mayor Kubo said, Although this is before the reference date the village has set as the guideline for returning, the call for evacuation was never mandatory to begin with.

I will not change the criteria for judgment, but the transportation costs for those who wish to return to the island today will be covered by public funds, he said.

Some of the evacuees are hoping to return to the island on the ferry departing Kagoshima Port on the 18th, so the village is identifying those who wish to return and plans to continue providing support.

Akusekijima’s community leader: “Economic anxiety is increasing.” Mr. Isamu Sakamoto, the head of Akusekijima’s community association, who remains on the island and continues to stay in touch with those who have evacuated elsewhere, responded to a telephone interview with NHK on the afternoon of the 16th.

On top of that, he said, Since you have to pay for things like meals yourself while staying at a hotel for evacuation, some people are worried that the longer it goes on, the more out-of-pocket expenses theyll have.

Furthermore, regarding the inn he runs, he revealed, Normally, this time of year should be fully booked with tourists and such, but thats not the case, and stated, Fishermen are also still unable to go out fishing. He explained that both those who have evacuated and those who have remained on the island are facing increasing economic anxiety.