Japanese electronics makers forecast more losses as Samsung dominates

TOKYO - The biggest Japanese makers of phones, televisions and chips say they will lose about $17 billion this year, about three-quarters of what Samsung Electronics Co will spend on research to increase its lead over its competitors.

Sony Corp said it had more than doubled its annual loss forecast for the year ending March 31, days after it announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer, while Panasonic Corp and Sharp Corp predicted they would see the worst losses in their histories.

Their combined losses compare with the $22 billion that Samsung, the largest Asian consumer-electronics company, said it will invest in capital expenditures.