2.2.0.25truefalse0612 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1falsefalseJPYfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 JPY (¥) JPY (¥) / shares ¥Jan-01-2010_Dec-31-2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000016988duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00JPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0JPYEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0JPYJPY¥2falsefalseJPYfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 JPY (¥) JPY (¥) / shares ¥TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000016988duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00JPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170JPYEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0JPYJPY¥3falsefalseJPYfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 JPY (¥) JPY (¥) / shares ¥TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000016988duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0JPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170JPYEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0JPYJPY¥2true0caj_ComponentsOfIncomeBeforeIncomeTaxesAndCurrentAndDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstractcajfalsenadurationComponents of income before income taxes and current and deferred income tax expense benefit continuing operations.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringComponents of income before income taxes and current and deferred income tax expense benefit continuing operations.falsefalseComponents of income before income taxes and the current and deferred income tax expense (benefit)3false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse392863000000392863falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse219355000000219355falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse481147000000481147falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income (loss) from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 1(i) -Article 4 truefalseIncome before income taxes4true0us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseIncome taxes:5false0us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse110779000000110779falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse6341000000063410falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse193285000000193285falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for the period for all income tax obligations as determined by applying the provisions of relevant enacted tax laws to relevant amounts of taxable income (loss) from continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a falsefalseCurrent6false0us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse2938100000029381falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2071200000020712falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-32497000000-32497falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe component of income tax expense for the period representing the net change in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 truefalseDeferred7false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse140160000000140160falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8412200000084122falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse160788000000160788falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a, b falsefalseTotal Income taxes8true0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperationsTaxRateReconciliationAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseReconciliation of the Japanese statutory income tax rate and the effective income tax rate9false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.40.4falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.40.4falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.40.4falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe domestic federal statutory tax rate applicable under enacted tax laws to the Company's pretax income from continuing operations for the period. The "statutory" tax rate shall be the regular tax rate if there are alternative tax systems.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 47 falsefalseJapanese statutory income tax rate10true0caj_IncreaseReductionInIncomeTaxesResultingFromAbstractcajfalsenadurationIncrease (reduction) in income taxes resulting from.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringIncrease (reduction) in income taxes resulting from.falsefalseIncrease (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:11false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.0080.008falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0090.009falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0050.005falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe sum of the differences between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to all nondeductible expenses under enacted tax laws.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseExpenses not deductible for tax purposes12false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferentialus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse-0.035-0.035falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse-0.054-0.054falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse-0.026-0.026falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate that can be explained by the difference between statutory income tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the domestic federal statutory income tax rate recorded during the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseIncome of foreign subsidiaries taxed at lower than Japanese statutory tax rate13false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCreditsResearchus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse-0.051-0.051falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse-0.028-0.028falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse-0.046-0.046falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate that can be explained by research tax credits generated or utilized under enacted tax laws during the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseTax credit for research and development expenses14false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowanceus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.0280.028falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0540.054falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0010.001falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseChange in valuation allowance15false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustmentsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truetruefalse0.0070.007falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0020.002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to all other items not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy.No authoritative reference available.truefalseOther16false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperationsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truetruefalse0.3570.357falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.3830.383falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.3340.334falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureA ratio calculated by dividing the reported amount of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations for the period by GAAP-basis pretax income from continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 47 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 2 -Article 4 truefalseEffective income tax rate17false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://canon.com/role/incometaxesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseJPYtruefalse{us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxis} : Japan [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 JPY (¥) ¥TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Domestic_Country_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000016988duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseJapan [Member]us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_DomesticCountryMemberus-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisexplicitMemberJPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170JPYJPY¥5falsefalseJPYtruefalse{us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxis} : Japan [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 JPY (¥) ¥TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Domestic_Country_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000016988duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseJapan [Member]us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_DomesticCountryMemberus-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisexplicitMemberJPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170JPYJPY¥6falsefalseJPYtruefalse{us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxis} : Japan [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 JPY (¥) ¥TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Domestic_Country_Member_2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000016988duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseJapan [Member]us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_DomesticCountryMemberus-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisexplicitMemberJPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170JPYJPY¥OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseJapan [Member]18true0caj_ComponentsOfIncomeBeforeIncomeTaxesAndCurrentAndDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstractcajfalsenadurationComponents of income before income taxes and current and deferred income tax expense benefit continuing operations.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringComponents of income before income taxes and current and deferred income tax expense benefit continuing operations.falsefalseComponents of income before income taxes and the current and deferred income tax expense (benefit)19false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse302965000000302965falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse130857000000130857falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse382299000000382299falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income (loss) from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 1(i) -Article 4 truefalseIncome before income taxes20true0us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseIncome taxes:21false0us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse7835900000078359falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4507900000045079falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse168428000000168428falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for the period for all income tax obligations as determined by applying the provisions of relevant enacted tax laws to relevant amounts of taxable income (loss) from continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a falsefalseCurrent22false0us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse3549600000035496falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1541500000015415falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-34073000000-34073falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe component of income tax expense for the period representing the net change in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 truefalseDeferred23false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse113855000000113855falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse6049400000060494falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse134355000000134355falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a, b falsefalseTotal Income taxes26false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://canon.com/role/incometaxesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseJPYtruefalse{us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxis} : Foreign [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 JPY (¥) ¥TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Foreign_Country_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000016988duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign [Member]us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignCountryMemberus-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisexplicitMemberJPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170JPYJPY¥8falsefalseJPYtruefalse{us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxis} : Foreign [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 JPY (¥) ¥TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Foreign_Country_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000016988duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign [Member]us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignCountryMemberus-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisexplicitMemberJPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170JPYJPY¥9falsefalseJPYtruefalse{us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxis} : Foreign [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 JPY (¥) ¥TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Foreign_Country_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000016988duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign [Member]us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignCountryMemberus-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationByJurisdictionAxisexplicitMemberJPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170JPYJPY¥OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseForeign [Member]27true0caj_ComponentsOfIncomeBeforeIncomeTaxesAndCurrentAndDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstractcajfalsenadurationComponents of income before income taxes and current and deferred income tax expense benefit continuing operations.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringComponents of income before income taxes and current and deferred income tax expense benefit continuing operations.falsefalseComponents of income before income taxes and the current and deferred income tax expense (benefit)28false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse8989800000089898falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8849800000088498falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse9884800000098848falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income (loss) from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 1(i) -Article 4 truefalseIncome before income taxes29true0us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseIncome taxes:30false0us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse3242000000032420falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1833100000018331falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2485700000024857falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for the period for all income tax obligations as determined by applying the provisions of relevant enacted tax laws to relevant amounts of taxable income (loss) from continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a falsefalseCurrent31false0us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse-6115000000-6115falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse52970000005297falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse15760000001576falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe component of income tax expense for the period representing the net change in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section I -Subsection 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 289 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 truefalseDeferred32false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2630500000026305falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2362800000023628falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2643300000026433falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a, b falsefalseTotal Income taxes329Income Taxes (Details) (JPY ¥)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue