TOKYO (Reuters) - Nissan <7201.T> Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa said he wanted to "pass the baton" to the next generation as soon as possible, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Monday, as speculation mounted he could announce his resignation from the troubled automaker.

Saikawa made the comment to reporters early on Monday, the Nikkei said. The business daily late on Sunday said he had already told some executives he plans to resign.

(Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim, Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Himani Sarkar)