In fact, the LCD use pixels to produce image. Plasma uses some material (+/-) to produce image (I am not really sure whether it use +/- and make static electric to produce image or not.) So, they are totally different.
In fact, Plasma is more expensive than LCD, LCD is much cheaper.
LCD has longer life than Plasma, so LCD has more benefit than Plasma TV. But, LCD is too bright.
I think the LCD TV's maintenance fee will be cheaper.
If you want to know about the Japanese Made Plasma TV's guarantee, actually it has no different with the TV made in other countries. But, the TVis made in Japan, and the brand (Company of the brand) give you guarantee that they will give you free repair if your TV was broken down (but if the TV is broken down because of human mistake, usually they won't give any service.