TOKYO — Japan’s Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture erupted early Sunday, spewing ash and smoke up to 4,400 meters (14,436 feet), according to Kyodo News.

The eruption, which occurred at 12:57 a.m. at the Minamidake crater, produced the highest plume recorded since Oct. 18 last year.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an ashfall forecast for Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Miyazaki prefectures as the eruption continued following the initial blast.

Authorities reported no injuries or structural damage. Large volcanic rocks were ejected as far as the volcano’s fifth station, though no pyroclastic flows were detected.

The alert level remains at three out of five, restricting access around the crater.

Sakurajima, among Japan’s most active volcanoes, is connected to the Osumi Peninsula on Kyushu. Once an island, it became linked to the mainland after a major 1914 lava flow. — Agencies