111.   Japanese electronics maker Sanyo Electric Co. on Wednesday slashed its earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending this month, citing sluggish sales amid the global slump.

112.   Japanese electronics makers have been seriously hurt by the global downturn and by rival manufacturers in China and other parts of Asia that have cheaper production costs.

113.   Japanese electronics makers reported unexpectedly strong earnings Thursday as heavy demand for semiconductors and other parts helped them overcome the hardships caused by the surging Japanese yen.

114.   Japanese electronics companies are suffering from a downturn in sales of video-game consoles, semiconductors, computers and other electronics devices.

115.   Japanese electronics companies, urged on by the trade ministry, increased purchases of foreign chips and achieved the target.

116.   Japanese electronics maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. has sued South Korean rival Samsung Electronics Co., accusing it of patent infringements in computer chip technology.

117.   Japanese electronics maker NEC Corp. announced Thursday it will spin off its semiconductor operations, excluding DRAM chips, as part of restructuring efforts.

118.   Japanese electronics giant Sony Corp. will start selling a robot dog called AIBO in early July.

119.   Japanese electronics giants Hitachi and NEC Corp. said Monday they will together produce corporate software in an effort to trim costs and speed product development.

120.   Japanese electronics maker Hitachi will spin off its home appliance and industrial equipment divisions by April to become quicker in decision-making to respond to market changes.