TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese automakers Honda ( HMC ) and Nissan ( NSANF ) may call off merger talks, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources, a move that would raise questions about the next steps for hard-hit Nissan ( NSANF ).

The boards of both manufacturers will meet separately in the near future to discuss potentially calling off the merger talks, the newspaper said. For Honda ( HMC ), the talks were not progressing as the bigger automaker had hoped, the Asahi said.

Honda ( HMC ) had sounded out Nissan ( NSANF ) about becoming a subsidiary, an idea that Nissan ( NSANF ) had strongly opposed, the Asahi said. Public broadcaster NHK had previously reported that Honda ( HMC ) had sounded out Nissan ( NSANF ) about becoming a subsidiary.