LCD screens look certain to dominate the ever growing flat panel market, according to Japanese industry research released yesterday.

The research, based on expected demand from 51 nations, has been compiled by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Association (JEITA).

It shows that demand for flat panel televisions is expected to more than double to 180 million units by 2012, driven by strong sales in China and the United States.

LCD TV demand is likely to reach 155 million units in five years, up from 74.8 million sold in 2007, while plasma sales will likely total 25 million units in 2012, compared with 11.4 million sold last year.

South Korea's Samsung Electronics and Sony lead the LCD TV market, while Panasonic maker Matsushita Electric controls one-third of the plasma TV market.