"It's too early to see any major impact from the outbreak, but we don't want to be late in any response, if needed," said Futoshi Kono, head of the automobile section at the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry.

Output at some Chinese plants operated by Japanese automakers and their suppliers remains suspended as China's manufacturing sector struggles to restart after an extended Lunar New Year break, hindered by travel and quarantine restrictions imposed to curb the epidemic.

(Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu; Editing by Kim Coghill)