The Meteorological Agency has lowered the alert level for Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture following diminished volcanic activity.
With risks of pyroclastic flows and large volcanic cinders decreasing, the agency downgraded the alert level Tuesday to 2 on a scale of 5, advising people not to approach the crater, from 3, which warned people not to come close to the volcano.
The agency raised the level to 3 after an eruption shot ash 2,000 meters into the air Sept. 14. Local authorities immediately declared the nearby area off-limits.