Overview

• On July 16, 16 islanders boarded the village ferry, arriving July 17 to resume life on Akusekijima despite continuing seismic activity.
• The group spans preschoolers to residents in their 80s, including farmers, fishers, educators, self-employed individuals.
• Toshima Village had set a safety threshold of five consecutive days without magnitude-4 tremors; that benchmark remains unmet as shocks persisted through July 16.
• The village government covers all return-related transport and lodging expenses; it has arranged additional ferry slots to accommodate more returnees.
• Returnees report fatigue from extended hotel stays along with a desire to tend livestock, secure boats.