At least three people have been confirmed killed and more casualties are feared, after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit north of Osaka Prefecture in western Japan.

An 80-year-old man and a young 9-year-old girl were killed in Japan, crushed by collapsing walls, public broadcaster NHK reported.

At least 217 people were injured, mainly across the northern Osaka and neighbouring prefectures, NHK  reported, citing data from local police and fire departments.

Some 170,000 households remain without power in Osaka, as well as neighboring Hyogo prefecture, according to local electricity operator Kansai.