Pakistan, May 17 -- Nissan is considering closing several factories in Japan and overseas as part of a major cost-cutting plan. The company may shut its historic Oppama and Shonan plants in Japan, leaving only three active car assembly factories in the country. It is also reviewing closures in South Africa, India, Argentina, and possibly two factories in Mexico.

This move follows Nissan's announcement to shrink global operations. The automaker plans to cut its workforce by 15% and reduce its production plants from 17 to 10. New CEO Ivan Espinosa is leading the strategy shift, which marks a clear change from the company's previous focus on expansion under former CEO Makoto Uchida.

The Oppama plant holds special importance in Nissan's his...