Tokyo  - Sanyo Electric Co, the world's largest maker of rechargeable batteries, slashed its earnings' prognosis for the full business year Tuesday, saying it expected net losses of 90 billion yen (920 million dollars).

   The Osaka-based company, which is in the process of being taken over by the world's largest producer of consumer electronics, Panasonic Corp, originally predicted it would break even for the business year ending March 31.

   Last year, Sanyo reported net profits of 28.7 billion yen, after recovering from a stint in the red for the 2006-07 business year.

   Sanyo also forecast zero operating profits, downgrading previous estimates of operating profits of 30 billion yen. Sales were also revised downwards from 1.9 trillion yen to 1.76 trillion yen.

   Japan's electronics industry currently is suffering one of its most severe post-war crises.