The CEO of Japanese car giant Nissan said Friday he will return part of his pay until next March following a damaging inspection scandal.

Nissan recalled some 1.2 million vehicles after admitting in October that staff without proper authorisation had conducted final inspections on some vehicles intended for the domestic market before they were shipped to dealers.

The firm suspended all production destined for the local market last month, but resumed production last week at all plants.

"I have been returning part of my monthly pay since October," Nissan president and chief executive officer Hiroto Saikawa told reporters on Friday.

Saikawa, who took over the top position from Carlos Ghosn earlier this year, said he would continue doing so until the end of March 2018.