Japans Shinmoe volcano erupts, spews ash and smoke

The Shinmoe volcano has erupted, spewing smoke and ash, and affecting residents in the Kirishima area in southwestern Japan.

Video on social media shows thick smoke rising from the volcano.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has raised the volcano alert to 3 on a scale of 5.

This is the first time in six years that Shinmoe volcano has erupted.