Mount Tokachi in Hokkaido issues Lv 3 volcanic alert for the 1st time

Japan's Meteorological Agency raises the volcanic alert for Mount Tokachi in Hokkaido from Level 2 which restricts access around the crater to Level 3 for the first time -- barring people from climbing the mountain.

This after earthquakes originating near the volcano have increased since last month, indicating heightened volcanic activity and the possibility of an eruption.

Mount Tokachi has erupted in the past.

An eruption in 1926 left more than 100 people dead or missing.