Photo/Illutration The city of Tarumizu in Kagoshima Prefecture is adjacent to Sakurajima, an active stratovolcano formed from multiple layers of ash and lava. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

After evaluating the 111 active volcanoes scattered across Japan, a research committee announced on Sept. 25 that it identified eight needing further investigation based on several factors.

“By also selecting volcanoes that do not exhibit obvious activity such as eruptions, we hope to advance volcanic research and investigations from scientific perspectives,” Hiroshi Shimizu, committee chair and professor emeritus at Kyushu University, told reporters after the eight mountains were revealed.

Some were chosen because they erupted in the past year. These are Iwoto island (formerly Iwojima) in Tokyo and Kagoshima Prefecture's Sakurajima, Satsuma-Iwojima and Suwanosejima islands. 

Earthquakes and tectonic movement also influenced the committee's selection process.

Because of these factors, Mount Yakedake, which straddles the prefectural border between Nagano and Gifu prefectures, Mount Iwatesan in Iwate Prefecture and Kuchinoerabujima island in Kagoshima Prefecture are included.

Despite appearing calm, Mount Hachimantai in Akita and Iwate prefectures was also selected when the committee deemed the evaluation insufficient in understanding the volcano's current status.

The committee will proceed with further investigation and decide which points are necessary to observe next year.

While it does believe Mount Asamayama in Gunma and Nagano prefectures may erupt on a small scale, other volcanoes were considered higher priority and it was not added to the list. 

Sept. 27 marks the 10th anniversary of the eruption of Mount Ontakesan. The eruption of the volcano, located on the border of Nagano and Gifu prefectures, caused 58 deaths and left five missing.

The tragedy led to increased public awareness of being prepared in the face of volcanic activity.

“Following the eruption of Mount Ontakesan, a unified system for volcanic research has been established at the national level,” Shimizu said. 

Similarly, the committee that Shimizu heads is part of the government's headquarters for promoting volcanic observation and research.

The headquarters and committee were both established in April under the science and technology ministry to strengthen government’s role in volcano disaster prevention.

This follows the amendment of a special measures law concerning active volcanoes. 

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