Japan's NTT DoCoMo to tie up with Google-paper

TOKYO, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Japan's NTT DoCoMo Inc (9437.T) will tie up with Google Inc (GOOG.O) with a view to adopting the Web giant's search and email features in its mobile phone Internet service, the Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday.

The alliance may lead to the development of new functions and handsets, the paper said.

The move is a strategic shift for Japan's largest wireless operator, which has handled such matters as communications infrastructure and services on its own, as it has decided it cannot meet user demands without partners given a surge in Internet use on mobile phones, the Nikkei said.

Starting as early as spring, users will be able to access Goolge searches, email, scheduling and photo-saving features through DoCoMo's i-mode network service, the paper said. (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka)