The logo of Swiss-based meter maker Landis+Gyr is seen at an office building in the Swiss town of Zug May 19, 2011. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Toshiba Corp 6502.T will start taking bids for Landis+Gyr, its Swiss smart meter unit, as early as June, Kyodo news agency reported on Tuesday.

Hitachi Ltd 6501.T and other Japanese firms are seen as possible bidders for the unit, Kyodo said, without citing sources.

Reuters last month reported that Toshiba had hired UBS to explore a sale or an initial public offering of the business, potentially valued at over $2 billion.

Toshiba is targeting buyout groups such as Carlyle CG.O, Cinven [CINV.UL], Advent, Blackstone BX.N, Bain, Onex ONEX.TO, Triton, CD&R and even former owner KKR KKR.N, a person close to the matter said.

A Toshiba spokesman did not have an immediate comment on the report.