It has been four years and five months since volcanic activity on Miyakejima island, about 200 km south of Tokyo, forced all residents to evacuate. On Wednesday, the first group of 62 people returned to the island. We congratulate them on their homecoming, although life on the island is fraught with hardship because of the continuing release of volcanic gases. Thus their return does not mark a "happy ending" as much as the beginning of an arduous process of recovery and reconstruction.

Volcanic activity on Miyakejima, one of the Izu Islands, started in June 2000. The volcano eventually erupted, spewing massive amounts of molten rock. In September, all residents were evacuated. Their return has been delayed due to the lingering presence of noxious gases, including sulfur dioxide.

The evacuation order was lifted Tuesday afternoon after the head of Miyake Village decided that residents could return to the island if they took "personal responsibility" for health risks. It was a painful decision that reflected a grim reality: a steady drop in the island's population. The number of people registered as island residents -- which stood at 3,800 at the time of evacuation -- has diminished to about 3,200 because of death and resettlement.