MAKUHARI, Japan, Sept 30, 2008 (AFP) - Japan's electronics makers warned Tuesday they were bracing for uncertainty as the global financial crisis chips away at their major markets in the United States and Europe.

Sony Corp. president Ryoji Chubachi said he was closely watching market conditions as he showcased the world's thinnest nine-millimetre (0.36-inch) HD liquid-crystal display (LCD) television at an electronics exhibition near Tokyo.

'For the moment, demand for LCDs is still strong but we don't know when something will happen. We are carefully watching market levels week by week from China to the US,' he said on the sidelines of the event.

The CEATEC, or Cutting-edge IT Comprehensive Exhibition, opened Tuesday for a week-long run bringing together 804 companies showing their goods.

Along with slowing US demand, Japanese companies are also concerned with a strengthening yen as it makes their goods more costly overseas.

'It is an urgent need to have a balanced dollar-yen, euro-yen cost strategy,' said Chubachi, adding: 'We want to be prepared for various scenarios ... and be able to take various measures without delay.'

Equity markets across the globe were battered Tuesday after the US House of Representatives voted down a 700-billion-dollar bailout plan for the financial sector.

'We would like financial authorities and governments to take whatever measures possible to solve this crisis. The US has challenged itself to solve the crisis in a short period of time. We hope that will be effective,' Chubachi said.

Rival Sharp Corp. said it may lower prices as it unveiled its thinnest 22.8-millimetre plasma TV of its Aquos line, which is expected to go on sale worldwide next month.

'In the US, the pressure on our sales will become bigger as demand for large-sized panels is struggling to grow and consumers shun the high price. It is possible we may lower prices,' said Sharp spokesman Akinori Shibuya.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. spokeswoman Kyoko Ishii said the company behind Panasonic was 'very concerned as half of our business depends on overseas.'

'We are watching markets very carefully as the situation may drastically change in the second half,' she said.