Cash Equivalents, Maturity Period

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- Definition

Number of Manufacturing Plants

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Percentage of Benefits from Tax Positions

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Net sales percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Details

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- Definition

Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 93-7

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 720

-SubTopic 35

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848

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- Definition

Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash equivalents may be reported as cash equivalents, while legally restricted equivalents held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular equivalents are not generally reported as part of unrestricted cash equivalents.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 8, 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

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- Definition

The useful life of all finite-lived intangible assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 12, 13, 14

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15372-109273

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- Definition

The maximum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15217-109273

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

The minimum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

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- Definition

The aggregate foreign currency transaction gain (loss) (both realized and unrealized) included in determining net income for the reporting period. Excludes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. For certain enterprises, primarily banks, that are dealers in foreign exchange, foreign currency transaction gains (losses) may be disclosed as dealer gains (losses).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30690-110894

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 52

-Paragraph 30

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

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- Definition

The maximum useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The minimum useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Cost incurred during the reporting period in transporting goods and services to customers. Includes freight-out costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 45

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 00-10

-Paragraph 6

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Shipping Costs

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6525344

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 22

-Paragraph 8

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 45

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 45

-Section 45

-Paragraph 20

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6743974&loc=d3e60635-111653

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Handling Costs

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6514758

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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange gains and losses	¥ (3,287)	¥ 3,089	¥ 1,842
Advertising expenses	81,232	94,794	78,009
Shipping and handling cost	43,308	56,306	45,966
Software
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life, minimum	3
Intangible assets, useful life, maximum	5
License Fees
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life, minimum	5
Intangible assets, useful life, maximum	10
Patented Technology
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life	3
Customer Relationships
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life	5
Building
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation period, minimum	3
Depreciation period, maximum	60
Machinery and Equipment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation period, minimum	1
Depreciation period, maximum	20
Assets Leased to Others
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation period, minimum	2
Depreciation period, maximum	5
Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Benefits from tax positions	50.00%
Available-for-sale Securities
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	204,307	249,907
Available-for-sale Securities \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash equivalents, maturity period	3 months	3 months
Held-to-maturity Securities
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		¥ 1,000
Held-to-maturity Securities \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash equivalents, maturity period		3 months
Foreign Country
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net sales Percentage	80.50%	81.20%	78.10%
Number of manufacturing plants	17
Americas
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net sales Percentage	27.00%	27.60%	27.90%
Europe
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net sales Percentage	31.30%	31.60%	31.00%
Asia and Oceania
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net sales Percentage	22.20%	22.00%	19.20%
JAPAN
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing plants	27
Office Business Unit
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net sales Percentage	53.90%	53.60%	51.30%
Consumer Business Unit
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net sales Percentage	36.90%	37.50%	40.50%
Industry and Others Business Unit
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net sales Percentage	11.80%	11.70%	11.20%
Corporate and eliminations
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net sales Percentage	2.60%	2.80%	3.00%
Hewlett Packard Company
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net sales Percentage	19.30%	20.10%	20.00%