A year after Fukushima, residents return to Kawauchi - in pictures

Yume Nakamaru, 4, helps her younger sister Hime, 2, up the stairs for the school and kindergarten entrance ceremony. Approximately 533 people have moved back out of an original town population of 2,856 Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

Children sing along as music is played on the piano Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

A young boy plays between the legs of some of the menfolk Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

Children and parents who are new to the school are applauded as they enter Kawauchi community centre Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

Children and their families pose for a photo Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

The residents of Kawauchi initially left due to fears over high levels of nuclear radiation contamination from the explosions at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, around 19 miles away Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

A young man prepares his cello Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

A young girl wears a face mask to attend the entrance ceremony Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

A man addresses Kawauchi residents at the entrance ceremony Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

Young girls at the entrance ceremony Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

A young boy prepares for his close-up at the school and kindergarten entrance ceremony for Kawauchi town Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian

Schoolchildren applaud at the school and kindergarten ceremony for Kawauchi town Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert for the Guardian