<p><br /> Smoke and ash continue to spew from Mount Shinmoedake in southern Japan.<br /> </p><p><br /> Local officials have raised the alert level and banned residents from going within a 1.2 mile radius of the volcano in the Kagoshima Prefecture.<br /> </p><p><br /> There was a small eruption on Wednesday with the plume of smoke reaching as high as 4920 feet at one point, distributing volcanic ash across surrounding villages.<br /> </p><p><br /> Residents as far as four miles away said their windows had trembled and they were kept awake by the loud rumbling sound.<br /> </p><p><br /> The persistent ash has blocked visibility in the surrounding area and has made the roads slippery and treacherous for motorists.<br /> </p><p><br /> Train services in the area have been suspended, with some flights to the area cancelled, but so far there have been no reports of damage or injuries.<br /> </p><p><br /> Fans of 007 may recognize Mount Shinmoedake, as Bond villain Ernst Blofeld had his secret underground base in the volcano in the film You Only Live Twice.<br /> </p>
