Canon's holiday sales disappointing: chairman

SEOUL Jan 11 (Reuters) - The chairman of Canon Inc (7751.T), the world's largest digital camera maker, said on Sunday the company's year-end holiday sales were "disappointing" and expected a difficult 2009.

"We had very big influence from the deteriorated economic situation. Unfortunately we are not an exception," Fujio Mitarai told Reuters.

"This year must be the worst year" in terms of the overall economy and digital camera sales, he said when asked about the prospects for 2009. He added that a recovery could hinge on how the U.S. government could spur up its economy.

Mitarai was speaking on the sideline of a luncheon meeting hosted by South Korean business associations, and also attended by Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso who is in South Korea for a summit.

Mitarai is also chairman of Nippon Keidanren, Japan's biggest business lobby group. (Reporting by Rhee So-eui; Editing by Anshuman Daga)