A Japan Meteorological Agency official speaks at a press conference at the agency in Tokyo on Sept. 12, 2026, regarding the raising of the volcanic alert level for Mt. Tokachi. (Kyodo)
SAPPORO (Kyodo) Japan’s weather agency on Saturday raised the volcanic alert level for Mt. Tokachi on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido to 3 on a scale of 5, restricting entry to the mountain.
Raising the alert from level 2, which restricts access to the crater, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned that an eruption could occur, affecting areas within around 3 kilometers of the crater.
The agency said large earthquakes near the volcano have increased since August, warning residents in Furano, Biei, Kamifurano, Minamifurano and Shintoku of the possible ejection of ash and small volcanic rocks.
It is the first level 3 alert for Mt. Tokachi, where ground inflation has continued since March. Volcanic gas emissions have increased since April and small eruptions occurred in July and August for the first time since February 2004.
The government opened an information liaison office in the prime minister’s crisis management center.
AloJapan.com