TOKYO, Feb 5 (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.

A Honda ( HMC ) spokesperson was not immediately available outside

of normal working hours.

A Nissan ( NSANF ) spokesperson said that discussions were ongoing

between the companies and that there would be an announcement

after their finalised their direction in mid-February, as

previously announced.