At 20:05 local time, the Sakurajima Volcano on Kagoshima prefecture of Japan erupted, sending cinders, ashes, and rocks up to 2.5 kilometers (about 1.5 miles) from the crater. Following the eruption, the Japan Meteorological Agency raised the eruption alert level to the highest level, making the first time an alert level was raised to 5 for the Sakurajima volcano. While no injuries, deaths, or serious damage has been reported, about 120 people in two towns were advised to evacuate and stay cautious. Officials also recommended that locals and visitors to the nearby Kagoshima city should monitor official communications channels should the eruption worsen. 

Japanese nuclear regulators and spokespeople announced to local media outlets that as of now, no irregularities have been detected at the nearby nuclear power plant, though staff will stay on high alert should further volcanic or seismic activities be detected. 

Sakurajima is among Japan's most active, with the latest eruption marking the 8th time one since the beginning of 2022 (According tohttps://weathernews.jp/s/topics/202207/240205/), and also most highly monitored volcanos. It is not uncommon for ashes from the volcano to fall on nearby cities. Local Japanese media state that people in the Kagoshima prefecture and surrounding areas participate in regular drills and evacuation protocols in both school and work to be prepared in the event of a violent eruption.  

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