<p>Dozens of people were urged to evacuate their homes after a fiery volcanic eruption in southern Japan on Sunday as the national weather agency issued its top-level alert for the mountain.</p>.<p>Television footage showed lava and dark plumes of ash exploding from Sakurajima in Kagoshima, which erupted just after 8 pm (1100 GMT).</p>.<p>The volcano frequently spits out smoke and ash, and is a major tourist attraction.</p>.<p><strong>See Pics | <a href="www.deccanherald.com/dh-galleries/photos/in-pics-10-most-active-volcanoes-around-the-world-1102598#1">10 most active volcanoes around the world</a></strong></p>.<p>Sunday's blast propelled large cinders about 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) from the crater, the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement.</p>.<p>The agency raised its alert for Sakurajima to level five, the top level, which urges evacuations. Before the eruption it was at level three, which bans entry to the mountain.</p>.<p>"Residential areas of Arimura town and Furusato town within three kilometres of the summit crater... of Sakurajima should be on high alert," the JMA said.</p>.<p>According to Kagoshima City, there are 77 residents in the two towns.</p>.<p>There were no immediate reports of damage, according to public broadcaster NHK.</p>.<p>Japan has scores of active volcanoes and sits on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire" where a large proportion of the world's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are recorded.</p>.<p>Sakurajima was formerly an island, but due to previous eruptions is now attached to a peninsula.</p>.<p>Japan last issued the top evacuation alert for a volcano when Kuchinoerabu island, also in Kagoshima, erupted in 2015.</p>
<p>Dozens of people were urged to evacuate their homes after a fiery volcanic eruption in southern Japan on Sunday as the national weather agency issued its top-level alert for the mountain.</p>.<p>Television footage showed lava and dark plumes of ash exploding from Sakurajima in Kagoshima, which erupted just after 8 pm (1100 GMT).</p>.<p>The volcano frequently spits out smoke and ash, and is a major tourist attraction.</p>.<p><strong>See Pics | <a href="www.deccanherald.com/dh-galleries/photos/in-pics-10-most-active-volcanoes-around-the-world-1102598#1">10 most active volcanoes around the world</a></strong></p>.<p>Sunday's blast propelled large cinders about 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) from the crater, the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement.</p>.<p>The agency raised its alert for Sakurajima to level five, the top level, which urges evacuations. Before the eruption it was at level three, which bans entry to the mountain.</p>.<p>"Residential areas of Arimura town and Furusato town within three kilometres of the summit crater... of Sakurajima should be on high alert," the JMA said.</p>.<p>According to Kagoshima City, there are 77 residents in the two towns.</p>.<p>There were no immediate reports of damage, according to public broadcaster NHK.</p>.<p>Japan has scores of active volcanoes and sits on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire" where a large proportion of the world's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are recorded.</p>.<p>Sakurajima was formerly an island, but due to previous eruptions is now attached to a peninsula.</p>.<p>Japan last issued the top evacuation alert for a volcano when Kuchinoerabu island, also in Kagoshima, erupted in 2015.</p>