- Mount Aso's explosive eruption occurs for 1st time in 36 years
- Ash falling as far as 320 km away-media
- Power company says no impact on Sendai nuclear plant
Mount Aso in southern Japan has sent huge plumes of grey smoke 11 kilometres into the air in one of the volcano's biggest explosions in years.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says the eruption in the early hours of Saturday also blew off bits of volcanic rock and ash and raised an alert level for the area, extending the entry ban from just around the volcanic mouth to the mountain itself.
Footage on Japan's NHK public television showed orange flames flickering from several locations on the mountaintop as the volcano emitted thick smoke billowing into the sky.
Apples are damaged by volcanic ash from Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Source: AAP
There are no homes within the off-limit area and no injuries or major damage have been reported in nearby towns, though buildings and cars were covered with thick ash falls. Flights were not affected.
The area is still recovering from deadly earthquakes in April.
Mount Aso has experienced repeated smaller eruptions in recent years but it is not known if the two scenarios are related.
Japan sits atop the Pacific "ring of fire'' and has more than 100 volcanoes.
