Japan's ANA to launch low-cost carrier -Nikkei

TOKYO Aug 2 (Reuters) - Japan's All Nippon Airways (9202.T) plans to launch a low-cost carrier as early as next year, in response to growing competition from Chinese and South East Asian discount airlines, the Nikkei business daily reported on Monday.

ANA will also tap overseas airlines and investment funds to help set up the discount carrier, which is expected to offer flights that are less than half the price of major carriers for international routes within six hours of Japan, the paper said.

ANA will likely take a 30-50 percent stake in the discount carrier, and overseas airlines and funds will probably have a combined holding of less than 30 percent, the Nikkei said, adding that ANA will also seek investment from Japanese travel agencies and hotels.

ANA will decide partners as early as next month, the paper said. (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)