In an annual securities report filed in Tokyo, Nissan said Renault was not allowed to increase its stake in the Japanese automaker beyond 44% without Nissan's permission, with the exception of cases such as other entity bidding for Nissan.

Renault owns around 43% of Nissan while the Japanese carmaker owns 15% of its top shareholder, but without voting rights.

(Reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama; Editing by David Dolan)