Japan’s met office increases warning level on volcano after eruption

Smokes rise from a crater of Mt Aso after its eruption, observed from Kusasenri, southwestern Japan (Kyodo News/AP)

A volcano in southern Japan erupted on Wednesday with a massive column of grey smoke billowing into the sky.

The Japan Meteorological Agency raised the warning level for Mount Aso to three on a scale of five, warning hikers and residents to avoid the mountain.