Qantas jet makes emergency landing in Japan, injuring nine

A Qantas jet carrying 178 passengers and 13 crew has been forced to make an emergency landing in Japan.

No one was injured in the landing but nine passengers were hurt during the evacuation of the Airbus A330 that had left Tokyo bound for Perth, Qantas said in a statement.

The plane landed at Osaka at 1am local time (4am NZT) and was met by emergency services on arrival in Osaka after smoke was detected in the cargo hold.

"The Osaka Control Tower reported smoke on landing so an emergency evacuation was declared as a precaution and emergency slides deployed," the Qantas statement said.

"Early inspections have shown no sign of smoke or fire, and Qantas believes a faulty reading from one of the cargo sensors may have caused the smoke indication."

Local authorities will inspect the aircraft.

Qantas has accommodated the passengers in Osaka while a relief aircraft is flown from Tokyo.

- AAP