Stockholders' equity (Details Textuals) (JPY ¥) In Millions, except Share data	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2009
Stockholders' equity (Textuals) [Abstract]
Common stock to be issued on conversion or exercise of convertible bonds and stock acquisition rights	20,480,400
Common stock acquired during fiscal year by the resolution of the Board of Directors	0	0	0
Retained earnings available for dividends to shareholders	¥ 502,815
Undistributed earnings of affiliated companies accounted for by equity method investment	30,809	16,034
Gain (loss) due to foreign currency translation adjustments transferred from OCI to net income	¥ 832	¥ (2,289)	¥ (534)

Common stock acquired during fiscal year by the resolution of the board of Directors.

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- Definition

Amount of consolidated retained earnings that represent undistributed (not yet received) earnings from 50% or less owned persons accounted for by the equity method (equity method investees).

+ Details

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- Definition

Stockholders equity.

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- Definition

Reclassification adjustment for translation gains or losses realized upon the sale or complete or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in foreign entity, after tax.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 24
-Subparagraph b

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 18, 19

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
-Paragraph 31
-Subparagraph d

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 23, 24, 25, 26

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- Definition

A segregation of retained earnings which is available for dividend distribution. Earnings not paid out as dividends but instead reinvested in the core business or used to pay off debt. Unappropriated profit is part of shareholder equity. Also called Cumulative distributions or earned surplus or accumulated earnings or unappropriated profit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 31
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 24
-Subparagraph a(4)
-Article 7

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- Definition

The number of shares that would be issued, determined under the conditions specified in the contract, if the settlement were to occur at the reporting date

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 150
-Paragraph 27
-Subparagraph a

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