Qantas’ new low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar Japan is preparing for take-off sooner than expected, confirming it will launch services to its first base Tokyo by mid 2012.

Scheduled to hit the skies on 3 July 2012, the carrier said it will commence services with an initial five major Japanese cities including Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa.

Utilising its three new A320 aircraft, Jetstar Group chief executive Bruce Buchanan noted that Jetstar’s five year history in the country would give the new low-cost carrier a leg up with local travellers.

“Serving the Japanese customer for the past five years with international services gives us a clear advantage in rolling out a domestic network,” Mr Buchanan said.

“We’ve built up a lot of trust with Japanese consumers who know that when we say every day low fares, we mean it.”

Flying-in as Japan’s first budget airline, chief executive Miyuki Suzuki said she is expecting strong customer demand once tickets go on sale at a soon-to-be announced date.

“In a country that’s never had a true low fares domestic network, the ability to travel for an average of 50 per cent less will open up new places and opportunities.”

Earlier this year month Jetstar’s Australian operations signed up with Tourism Queensland to launch an AU$500,000 campaign to promote the sunshine state to Australian travellers.