Supplementary Information To The Statements Of Operations And Cash Flows (Detailed Schedule Of Research And Development, Advertising, Shipping And Handling, And Depreciation Costs Charged To Income) (Detail) (JPY ¥) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010
Supplementary Information To The Statements Of Operations And Cash Flows [Abstract]
Research and development costs	¥ 520,217	¥ 527,798	¥ 476,903
Advertising costs	137,942	156,894	150,866
Shipping and handling costs	153,345	145,315	129,114
Depreciation	¥ 259,135	¥ 284,244	¥ 251,839

Supplementary Information To The Statements Of Operations And Cash Flows (Detailed Schedule Of Research And Development, Advertising, Shipping And Handling, And Depreciation Costs Charged To Income) (Detail) (JPY ¥)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2010

Supplementary Information To The Statements Of Operations And Cash Flows [Abstract]

Research and development costs

¥ 520,217

¥ 527,798

¥ 476,903

Advertising costs

137,942

156,894

150,866

Shipping and handling costs

153,345

145,315

129,114

Depreciation

¥ 259,135

¥ 284,244

¥ 251,839

- Definition

The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.

+ References+ Details

- 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.

+ References+ Details

- 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

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

-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.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Shipping Costs

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

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 22

-Paragraph 8

-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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 45

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6408196&loc=d3e61069-111654

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

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

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Handling Costs

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

+ Details