Sharp Corporation is one of Japan's unsung heros of the technology sector and a perfect if somewhat extreme illustration of the value of long-term investment decisions. Sharp was one of the earliest pioneers in LCD technology, with R&D beginning some 40 years or so ago. It is not clear what the business plan projections for flat panel TV were at that time, but I have no doubt that the company and its investors were happy to take a long term view on the market's potential.

Sharp recently reported rising profits and sales on the back of LCD TV performance, one of the few major players that is avoiding the impact of rapidly declining prices. Sharp's strategy is to continue to push LCD into ever larger screen sizes, and this is evident in Akihabara's electronics department stores, where the company's 65" LCD TV are on display next to the equivalent plasma model from Panasonic (I'll post the photograph once I restore my PC-camera connectivity). The demonstration highlighted Sharp's next challenge: to improve picture quality at these sizes - the plasma set outclassed the LCD, and this was reflected in a sharp (pardon the pun) price discount on the Sharp model.

Nevertheless, I have no doubt technology improvements will continue and we can expect to see LCD and PDP fighting it out in the 50-60" battleground over the next couple of years.