Stock-based compensation plans (Details Textuals) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2009
Stock Based Compensation Plans (Additional Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of shares to be issued on conversion of each Bond	100
Stock-based compensation expense	¥ 1,952,000,000	¥ 2,202,000,000	¥ 3,446,000,000
Stock-based compensation expense related to income tax benefit	322,000,000	271,000,000	543,000,000
Total cash received from stock-based compensation plans	198,000,000	114,000,000	378,000,000
Stock Acquisition Rights Plan [Member]
Stock Based Compensation Plans (Textuals) [Abstract]
Stock acquisition rights, vesting period	3 years
Stock acquisition rights, maximum exercisable period	10 years
Weighted-average fair value per share of stock acquisition rights granted	¥ 1,036	¥ 813	¥ 398
Total intrinsic value of shares exercised under stock acquisition rights plan	26,000,000	20,000,000	95,000,000
Nonvested Stock Acquisition Rights [Member]
Stock Based Compensation Plans (Textuals) [Abstract]
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock acquisition rights	2,358,000,000
Weighted-average period of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock acquisition rights	1.99
Total fair value of stock acquisition rights vested	1,921,000,000	2,136,000,000	3,333,000,000
Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]
Stock Based Compensation Plans (Textuals) [Abstract]
Stock acquisition rights, vesting period	3 years
Stock acquisition rights, maximum exercisable period	10 years
Number of stock appreciation rights outstanding	45,425
Weighted-average exercise price of stock appreciation rights	¥ 5,120

Number of shares to be issued on conversion of each Bond.

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Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Maximum Exercisable Period.

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Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award equity instruments other than options grants in period weighted average exercise price.

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Stock Based Compensation Plans.

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Stock-based compensation plans.

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- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from share-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64
-Subparagraph b

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14
-Section F

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Aggregate proceeds received by the entity during the annual period from exercises of stock options and conversion of similar instruments granted under share-based payment arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph i

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- Definition

As of the balance-sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of share-based awards made to employees under share-based compensation plans that have yet to vest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for share-based compensation plans, using a decimal to express in number of years.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)

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- Definition

Description of the period of time over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, which may be expressed in a variety of ways (for example, in years, month and year).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph a

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- Definition

The number of outstanding awards on nonstock option plans (for example, phantom stock plan, stock appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(2)(a)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(2)(b)

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- Definition

The total fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph c(2)

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- Definition

The total accumulated difference between fair values of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options which were exercised (or share units converted) into shares during the reporting period under the plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph c(2)

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- Definition

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph c(1)

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