Volcano erupts in southern Japan

TOKYO: A volcano in southern Japan was spewing fire and ash Sunday, the country's weather agency said, two days after a massive earthquake that triggered a destructive tsunami.

The ash and rock eruptions from the Shimoedake volcano were sent four kilometres high.

It was unclear whether the eruption was related to Friday's earthquake. The 1,421-metre high volcano has been active again since January after being dormant for more than 50 years.

In February, the authorities advised residents in the vicinity of the volcano to leave, but there had been no activity since the beginning of March.