By Kantaro Komiya and Rocky Swift TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese manufacturing giant Nidec said on Friday it planned to launch a 257 billion yen ($1.6 billion) bid for Makino Milling Machine, a surprise unsolicited takeover offer in a country better known for agreed deals.

KYOTO -- Japanese motor manufacturer Nidec is set to make a takeover bid for Makino Milling Machine, a major machine tool manufacturer, without the consent of Makino's management, Nikkei has learned.

Nidec plans to clear the regulatory processes by early April and launch the tender offer on April 4, even without Makino's consent, it said

Nidec Corp. is offering ¥257.3 billion ($1.6 billion) to take over machine tool builder Makino Milling Machine Co., initiating a rare unsolicited takeover of a Japanese company.