Schoolchildren from Miyake Island began the new school term Monday at Akikawa High School in Akiruno, western Tokyo, where all 356 of the young evacuees are staying in dorms.
"Life has changed drastically for us since volcanic activity commenced on June 26," said Tetsuhide Hirano, principal of Miyake's Tsubota Junior High School, during the opening ceremony.
"Many have been evacuated a number of times, camping trips have been canceled, we have been unable to sleep at night from the earthquakes, and the volcanic ash has prevented you from playing outside."