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 The BBC's Charles Scanlon reports from Tokyo"Scientists have been predicting the eruption for several days"  real 28k |
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They are now being housed in schools and public halls.
The eruption came just hours after roads began cracking from growing fissures on the flanks of the snow-capped mountain, early signs of the magma swelling below the earth.
Many residents rushed into the streets to watch the eruption as it began early on Friday afternoon, clearly visible from the surrounding countryside.
 Local residents watch the eruption from a safe distance
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Landslide risk
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, but officials have warned that the eruption could be followed by landslides and mudslides caused by melting snow.
There is also concern that a flow of debris into a lake on the western side of the mountain could create a wave similar to tsunami created in the oceans by major earthquakes.
 Roads were cracked by the earth tremors prior to the eruption
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In Tokyo, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi has called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the situation.The 732-metre (2,416-foot) Mount Usu is located 770km (475 miles) north of Tokyo.
Roughly 51,000 people live in three towns around its base.
Mount Usu's last eruption, in 1978, left two people dead and destroyed nearly 200 homes.
Mount Usu normally logs 20 to 30 tremors a month, but there have been more than 3,000 tremor since Sunday.
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