Previously, operations were scheduled to be suspended from the night shift on 14 March through to the night shift on 16 March.

Mazda added that it will announce any further production changes for 21 March onward as soon as a decision is made.

Other carmakers are also operating continued production suspensions. Toyota has stopped production at its 12 plants until Wednesday 16 March and also suspended operations at its partly-owned sites.

Nissan has also halted operations at its four Japanese plants until Wednesday with production at another two plants suspended until Friday.