A strong earthquake rattled one of Japan's biggest cities, resulting in damage, injuries, and fatalities.

The quake hit near the city of Osaka, the capital of Kansai Prefecture, around 8 a.m. on June 18 local time (4 p.m. on June 17 PST) amid morning rush hour.

Although preliminary measurements reported it as a 6.1-magnitude quake, the Japan Meterological Agency measured it as 5.9-magnitude.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported it as a 5.5-magnitude seismic event, with an epicentre located 18 kilometres (11 miles) north of Osaka at a depth of 11 kilometres (seven miles).

According to the Japan Times, the death toll has risen to four people and over 300 people were injured.

Several fires and damaged roads were reported, and train service and domestic flights were suspended.