Volcano erupts on southern Japanese island

Japan has ordered evacuations after an island volcano erupted, shooting a huge column of ash high into the air.

Footage by the Japan Meteorological Agency captured the moment the plume rocketed into the air from Mount Shindake, on the far southern island of Kuchinoerabu.

Around 130 people live on the island but there have been no immediate reports of damage or any injuries.

The weather agency raised its warning level to level five - the top of its five-point warning system - and said evacuation was necessary.

The eruption occurred just before 10am on Friday, sending a "pyroclastic flow" to the coastline, the agency said.

Japan sits at the junction of several of the Earth's tectonic plates and is dotted with active volcanoes.