Some Japanese factories reopening

Sony plans to resume operations at a plant that makes rechargeable batteries in Tochigi prefecture. Nissan, Japan’s second-largest automaker, will restart operations at six factories today and some vehicle assembly beginning Thursday.

Scores of Japanese companies were forced to halt some operations after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The battery plant would be Sony’s third factory to reopen since the 9.0-magnitude earthquake forced it to shut down 10 facilities. The company may restart a DVD-manufacturing plant in Ibaraki prefecture within a week. Sony has reopened two other plants in the past week.

Toyota Motor Corp. has said it will keep 21 auto and components plants closed until Tuesday.