Mount Shinmoedake has been spewing ash for days but the volcano eruptions turned violent on Saturday after “large explosions” were recorded at the site.
Local residents have been warned about the risk of large flying rocks and fears have been raised that the volcanic activity could continue for months.
The Japanese volcano experienced its biggest eruption in seven years and blasted smoke and ask more than 3,000 metres into the sky when it erupted earlier this week.
Around 65 flights were cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday as the volcanic ash cloud filled the sky causing havoc for travellers.
On Saturday the country’s meteorological agency issued new warnings and expanded the warning level to 4km’s around the volcano due to the risk of flying rocks after the volcano became explosive.
Monitors said rocks were hurled from the crater of the volatile volcano and posed a significant danger to life.
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The Japanese Meteorological Agency said eruptions took place in the early hours of Saturday morning local time, shaking nearby buildings and smashing windows.
A spokesman confirmed that large explosions happened at 01:54 local time (16:54 GMT on Friday) and at 04:27 local time.
Smoke spewing from the mouth of the volcano in southern Japan reached an astonishing 4,500m in the air and molten lava was detected running down the side of the volcano.
Mount Shinmoedake was used in the 1967 James Bond film ‘You Only Live Once’ as a criminal organisations lair.