Hon Hai, otherwise known as Foxconn, are reportedly close to inking a deal with Sharp, where they would make a $1 billion investment in Sharp's Sakai, Japan-based LCD plant. The move would see Foxconn gain a 9.9% stake in Sharp.

C.C. Lin, an official for Hon Hai, talked of the deal earlier this week, suggesting that Hon Hai are considering scooping up Sharp's TV assembly factories in China and Mexico. In regards to the Japanese factory, that deal could be announced any day now.

Lin has hinted that the outcome of the talks hangs on just how much input Sharp would be willing to take on increasing profits. More hints were given that if the deal is inked, it could lower Sharp's component prices. Sharp provides LCD displays for the iPhone and iPad, but would be a much closer partner if this deal is reached. This also gives more credit to the rumors of an Apple TV, and with Sharp's AQUOS range of TVs being of a very high quality, this would investment would make logical sense.