The future of Miyake Island may be as hazy as the smoke billowing from its volcano, but for Kazuyoshi Yamada, it comes before his own losses.
The 73-year-old municipal assemblyman fears the prolonged evacuation from Miyake, now in its third month, will lead to a permanent mass exodus of young people from the island about 180 km south of Tokyo.
"Now 33 percent of Miyake's population is 65 or over," he said. "I am worried that if the evacuation continues, many may decide not to return to the island, especially the young islanders.