Life is gradually returning to normal for residents of Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, more than two months after a powerful earthquake hit the region on New Year's Day.

On Thursday, 40 public full-time high schools in the prefecture announced the applicants who passed the entrance exam.

At Iida High School in Suzu City, one of the hardest-hit areas, those who found themselves on the list of successful applicants shared their joy with their families and friends.

Hattori Keiji decided to continue his studies in the city, even though many of his friends opted to leave.

He said he was relieved to have been accepted, and that he chose to stay because he loves the local community and his family lives there.

Hattori said that he was not particularly strong academically, but his perspective changed after the quake, and he decided to work hard. He expressed eagerness to contribute to his hometown.

The mother of another student said that she was impressed by her child's decision to stay and go to Iida High School to help reconstruct the city.

She said that she wants her child to draw strength from the support the region received post-disaster and emerge as an individual who can give back to society when needed.

In Wajima City, which was also severely affected, a 68-year-old craftworker of Wajima-nuri lacquerware resumed chopstick production on Thursday after repair work on his quake-damaged workshop was completed.

Koyama Masaki applied red lacquer to locally sourced wooden sticks, then placed them in a rotating device to ensure even drying. The process needs to be repeated at least several times.

Koyama said the experience felt awkward at first, considering that more than two months have passed since the quake, but it brought him joy.

He said that he wants to help preserve the Wajima-nuri industry by doing what he can, one step at a time.

The Wajima-nuri industry association says all 103 of its member businesses suffered damage from the New Year's Day quake, with most yet to set a timeline for resuming operations.