At least 14 people have been injured by an avalanche and volcanic eruption near a Japanese ski resort.
The eruption sent rocks raining down over a kilometre-wide area near Kusatsu in central Gunma prefecture, say local media.
Four people who were riding a gondola at the resort at the time were among those injured.
Six members of the military, who were conducting an exercise in the area, had to be rescued from the avalanche. ( kusatsu onsen hotel village )
Authorities say Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, 150km (93 miles) from Tokyo, erupted Tuesday morning but it is not clear if that is what triggered the avalanche.
"Based on various measurements, we can say that the mountain appears to have erupted, but we are still trying to confirm facts on the ground," Japans Meteorological Agency said, according to Reuters.
The agency has warned people not climb the mountain.
One person was initially reported missing, but officials later said that was not the case.
Rocks raining down
According to state broadcaster NHK, some of the volcanic debris fell more than 1km (0.6 miles) from the mountain.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency warned that rocks could be raining down as far as 2km from the peak.
Japan is one of the world's most seismically active nations ( kusatsu onsen hotel village )
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