Restructuring Charges And Asset Impairments (Details) (JPY ¥) In Millions	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2009
Changes in accrued restructuring charges
Restructuring charges, beginning balance	¥ 36,180	¥ 65,274	¥ 16,562
SME acquisition			11,617
Restructuring costs	62,318	116,472	75,390
Non-cash charges	(8,294)	(31,928)	(10,182)
Cash payments	(66,607)	(110,557)	(27,060)
Adjustments	(3,038)	(3,081)	(1,053)
Restructuring charges, ending balance	20,559	36,180	65,274
Employee termination benefits [Member]
Changes in accrued restructuring charges
Restructuring charges, beginning balance	27,218	53,813	10,893
SME acquisition			8,980
Restructuring costs	38,264	65,133	56,385
Cash payments	(47,521)	(88,803)	(21,900)
Adjustments	(2,376)	(2,925)	(545)
Restructuring charges, ending balance	15,585	27,218	53,813
Non-cash write-downs and disposals [Member]
Changes in accrued restructuring charges
Restructuring charges, beginning balance	0	0	0
Restructuring costs	8,294	31,928	10,182
Non-cash charges	(8,294)	(31,928)	(10,182)
Restructuring charges, ending balance	0	0	0
Other associated costs [Member]
Changes in accrued restructuring charges
Restructuring charges, beginning balance	8,962	11,461	5,669
SME acquisition			2,637
Restructuring costs	15,760	19,411	8,823
Cash payments	(19,086)	(21,754)	(5,160)
Adjustments	(662)	(156)	(508)
Restructuring charges, ending balance	¥ 4,974	¥ 8,962	¥ 11,461

Restructuring Reserves.

Name:	sne_RestructuringReserves
Namespace Prefix:	sne
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination and to asset retirement obligations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 95-3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reserve increase representing the amount charged against earnings in the period for a specified incurred and estimated type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReservePeriodExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of consideration other than cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveSettledWithoutCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration