Deferred compensation awards - Activity relating to RSU awards (Detail) - RSU awards [Member] - ¥ / shares	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Outstanding
Outstanding (number of shares), Beginning	48,518,200
Outstanding (number of shares), Granted	33,786,200
Outstanding (number of shares), Forfeited	(3,734,800)
Outstanding (number of shares), Delivered	(15,230,000)
Outstanding (number of shares), Ending	63,339,600	48,518,200
Weighted-Average grant date fair value per share
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, Beginning	¥ 530
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, Granted	365
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, Forfeited	441
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, Delivered	530
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, Ending	¥ 447	¥ 530
Weighted-average remaining life until expiry (years)
Weighted-average remaining life until expiry (years), Outstanding	1 year	1 year 3 months 18 days

Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of the shares paid.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Per share or unit weighted-average fair value of nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes share and unit options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The addition or reduction in the number of reserved shares that could potentially be issued under the option plan attributable to reasons other than grants, exercises, forfeitures, and expirations during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Weighted average remaining contractual term for option awards outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (e)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

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