Residents of Miyake Island pledged Wednesday to rebuild their lives in a ceremony marking the first anniversary since they returned home after volcanic eruptions in September 2000 forced their evacuation.
About 150 people attended the event held at a junior high school on the island, which also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the village of Miyake.
"I am moved by how we are able to be here today by overcoming the hardship associated with the full evacuation of the island," Mayor Sukeyasu Hirano said.
