Supplementary Information to the Statements of Operations and Cash Flows (Schedule of Detail of Selected Expenses) (Details) (JPY ¥) In Millions	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2009
Supplementary Information to the Statements of Operations and Cash Flows
Research and development costs	¥ 527,798	¥ 476,903	¥ 517,913
Advertising costs	156,894	150,866	174,939
Shipping and handling costs	145,315	129,114	146,920
Depreciation	¥ 284,244	¥ 251,839	¥ 325,835

- Definition

The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use.

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