Miyake Island Mayor Sukeyasu Hirano and other officials opened a local headquarters on the volcanic island Tuesday in preparation for the return of residents.

"I call on you to carry out preparations so that villagers can safely return to their homes," Hirano told those manning the headquarters.

Miyake Island, located about 180 km south of Tokyo, has remained mostly deserted since an all-out evacuation order was issued in September 2000, when volcanic activity on Mount Oyama that began in July escalated. Volcanic activity has since subsided, but volcanic gas remains a hazard on some parts of the island.