Honda prolongs works closings in Japan; Mazda sets reopening

Honda's announcement came after the car maker had distributed a memo to dealers saying it would review each dealers' product allotments for vehicles to be built after May.

Japanese manufacturers are struggling to resume production in Japan amid a shortage of parts and workers in the wake of last week's earthquake and tsunami.

The Wall Street Journal said Honda has also warned dealers that it is not sure if it will be able to resume full production at certain Japanese plants before May.

Honda manufactured 69,170 cars in January in Japan, where it makes 22% of its vehicles.

Mazda, for now, said it will reopen its plants in Hofu and Hiroshima on Tuesday, March 22. The company called the move a "temporary resumption of operations" and said it will decide later when to resume full production of parts and vehicles.