Japan raises eruption alert for Sakurajima volcano to highest level

A volcano on Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, erupted early Monday for the second straight day, with the country's weather agency maintaining a heightened alert, Kyodo news agency reported.

Following the eruption around 8:05 pm. the previous day, the agency raised the alert for the volcano from level 3 to 5 on its 5-point scale, warning people to evacuate. It was the first time that a level 5 alert was issued for the volcano.

There were no reports of injury or damage from Sunday's eruption, when the Japan Meteorological Agency raised its eruption alert for the volcano to the highest level.