The meteorological agency said the "eruption occurred" around 0109 Sunday. It said the current eruption of Sakurajima is level 3. The agency warned against "large volcanic stones and pyroclastic flows within a range of approximately 2 km from the Minamidake summit crater and Showa crater," said NHK News. 

Japan's Director-General for Disaster Management, CAO, tweeted: "Those in surrounding areas, act to ensure your safety."

... and if an eruption of a volcano seems terrible. The country deals with an array of issues ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, including a surge in coronavirus cases and Fukushima nuclear plant readying to release radioactive water into the ocean.