Advantest (ATEYY) 20-F 26 Jun 14 2013 FY Annual report (foreign) Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'
Document Type	'20-F
Amendment Flag	'false
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY
Trading Symbol	'ATE
Entity Registrant Name	'ADVANTEST CORP
Entity Central Index Key	'0001158838
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--03-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	174,197,942

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	¥ 68,997	¥ 45,668
Trade receivables, net	20,404	26,953
Inventories	30,200	31,849
Other current assets	5,218	8,319
Total current assets	124,819	112,789
Investment securities	3,741	5,923
Property, plant and equipment, net	39,925	41,368
Intangible assets, net	3,545	15,833
Goodwill	46,846	41,670
Other assets	10,980	7,932
Total assets	229,856	225,515
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Trade accounts payable	12,353	10,380
Accrued expenses	6,775	7,910
Income taxes payable	1,089	1,436
Accrued warranty expenses	1,589	1,889
Customer prepayments	2,488	3,198
Other current liabilities	2,313	3,087
Total current liabilities	26,607	27,900
Corporate bonds	25,000	25,000
Convertible bonds	30,149	'
Accrued pension and severance costs	28,641	26,785
Other liabilities	3,207	4,589
Total liabilities	113,604	84,274
Commitments and contingent liabilities	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, Authorized 440,000,000 shares; issued 199,566,770 shares	32,363	32,363
Capital surplus	43,906	42,801
Retained earnings	130,740	170,626
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	5,326	-6,929
Treasury stock, 25,773,688 shares in 2013 and 25,368,828 shares in 2014, at cost	-96,083	-97,620
Total stockholders' equity	116,252	141,241
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	¥ 229,856	¥ 225,515

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Common stock, shares Authorized	440,000,000	440,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	199,566,770	199,566,770
Treasury stock, shares	25,368,828	25,773,688

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net sales	¥ 111,878	¥ 132,903	¥ 141,048
Cost of sales	62,545	63,983	72,300
Gross profit	49,333	68,920	68,748
Research and development expenses	32,670	33,062	30,303
Selling, general and administrative expenses	39,964	35,778	37,608
Impairment charge	13,068	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-36,369	80	837
Other income (expense):	'	'	'
Interest and dividend income	199	213	323
Interest expense	-140	-132	-153
Gain on sale of investment securities	1,396	388	'
Impairment losses on investment securities	'	-400	-2,254
Other, net	-587	-1,442	-2,195
Total other income (expense)	868	-1,373	-4,279
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company	-35,501	-1,293	-3,442
Income taxes (benefit)	61	2,493	-1,240
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company	22	-35	7
Net income (loss)	¥ (35,540)	¥ (3,821)	¥ (2,195)
Net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'
Basic	¥ (204.1)	¥ (22.03)	¥ (12.67)
Diluted	¥ (204.1)	¥ (22.03)	¥ (12.67)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	¥ (35,540)	¥ (3,821)	¥ (2,195)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,555	17,250	1,422
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:	'	'	'
Net unrealized gains (losses)	-642	174	602
Pension related adjustments	342	-1,779	-6,328
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	12,255	15,645	-4,304
Total comprehensive income (loss)	¥ (23,285)	¥ 11,824	¥ (6,499)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (JPY ¥)	Total	Total Shares Of Common Stock	Capital Surplus	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Shares Of Treasury Stock
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of year at Mar. 31, 2011	¥ 138,132	¥ 32,363	¥ 40,628	¥ 183,009	¥ (18,270)	¥ (99,598)
Changes in the year	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-2,195	'	'	-2,195	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-4,304	'	'	'	-4,304	'
Cash dividends	-1,733	'	'	-1,733	'	'
Stock option compensation expense	1,652	'	1,652	'	'	'
Purchases of treasury stock	-1	'	'	'	'	-1
Sale of treasury stock	1	'	'	0	'	1
Total changes in the year	-6,580	'	1,652	-3,928	'	0
Balance at end of year at Mar. 31, 2012	131,552	32,363	42,280	179,081	-22,574	-99,598
Changes in the year	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-3,821	'	'	-3,821	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	15,645	'	'	'	15,645	'
Cash dividends	-3,468	'	'	-3,468	'	'
Stock option compensation expense	861	'	861	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	-340	'	-340	'	'	'
Purchases of treasury stock	-1	'	'	'	'	-1
Sale of treasury stock	813	'	'	-1,166	'	1,979
Total changes in the year	9,689	'	521	-8,455	'	1,978
Balance at end of year at Mar. 31, 2013	141,241	32,363	42,801	170,626	-6,929	-97,620
Changes in the year	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-35,540	'	'	-35,540	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	12,255	'	'	'	12,255	'
Cash dividends	-3,480	'	'	-3,480	'	'
Stock option compensation expense	1,283	'	1,283	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	-178	'	-178	'	'	'
Purchases of treasury stock	-2	'	'	'	'	-2
Sale of treasury stock	673	'	'	-866	'	1,539
Total changes in the year	-24,989	'	1,105	-39,886	'	1,537
Balance at end of year at Mar. 31, 2014	¥ 116,252	¥ 32,363	¥ 43,906	¥ 130,740	¥ 5,326	¥ (96,083)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	¥ (35,540)	¥ (3,821)	¥ (2,195)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	8,268	8,063	6,838
Deferred income taxes	-1,897	693	-3,663
Stock option compensation expense	1,283	861	583
Impairment losses on investment securities	'	400	2,254
Gain on sale of investment securities	-1,396	-388	'
Impairment charge	13,495	'	'
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition:	'	'	'
Trade receivables	7,891	-1,004	616
Inventories	2,806	-566	4,613
Trade accounts payable	1,114	-6,475	902
Accrued expenses	-1,376	-4,529	39
Income taxes payable	-424	677	-659
Accrued warranty expenses	-348	-302	164
Customer prepayments	-966	611	-1,815
Accrued pension and severance costs	998	841	975
Other	2,316	2,724	3,650
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-3,776	-2,215	12,302
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
(Increase) decrease in short-term investments	'	'	14,387
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sales securities	2,354	287	10,717
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired	-1,273	'	-57,145
Decrease of other investment in equity method investee	'	'	620
Proceeds from distribution of equity method investee	135	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	379	32	89
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-5,511	-11,386	-5,931
Purchases of intangible assets	-830	-443	-329
Other	35	12	-78
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-4,711	-11,498	-37,670
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Increase (decrease) in short term debt	'	-25,000	25,466
Proceeds from issuance of corporate bonds	'	25,000	'
Proceeds from issuance of convertible bonds	30,150	'	'
Redemption of senior convertible notes of acquired subsidiary	'	'	-13,835
Dividends paid	-3,474	-3,460	-1,729
Other	526	546	-15
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	27,202	-2,914	9,887
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	4,614	4,077	-1,624
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	23,329	-12,550	-17,105
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	45,668	58,218	75,323
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	68,997	45,668	58,218
Supplemental data:	'	'	'
Income taxes	2,711	1,519	3,267
Interest	¥ 140	¥ 87	¥ 153

Description_of_Business_and_Su

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices	'
	(1) Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices
	(a) Description of Business
	The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “Advantest”) manufacture and sell semiconductor and component test system products and mechatronics-related products such as test handlers and device interfaces. Advantest also engages in research and development activities and provides maintenance and support services associated with these products.
	Description of the business by segment is as follows:
	The semiconductor and component test system segment provides customers with test system products for the semiconductor industry and the electronic parts industry. Product lines provided in the semiconductor and component test system segment include test systems for memory semiconductors for memory semiconductor devices and test systems for SoC (“System-on-a-Chip”) semiconductors for non memory semiconductor devices.
	The mechatronics system segment provides product lines such as test handlers, mechatronic-applied products for handling semiconductor devices, device interfaces that serve as interfaces with the devices that are measured and operations related to nano-technology products.
	The services, support and others segment consists of comprehensive customer solutions provided in connection with the above segments, support services, equipment lease business and others.
	(b) Principles of Consolidation
	Advantest’s consolidated financial statements include financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. Investment in an affiliated company over which Advantest has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not hold a controlling financial interest, is accounted for by the equity method. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	(c) Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents consist of deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase. Advantest considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	(d) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Advantest recognizes an allowance for doubtful accounts to ensure that trade receivables are not overstated due to uncollectability, which represents Advantest’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in Advantest’s existing trade receivables. An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided at an amount calculated based on historical write off experience and a specific allowance for estimated amounts considered to be uncollectable after reviewing individual factors such as the customer’s current financial position, significant changes in the semiconductor industry, other information that is publicly available and the customer’s credit worthiness.
	(e) Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the average cost method.
	(f) Investment Securities
	Investment securities consist of marketable and non-marketable equity securities. Fair value is determined based on quoted market prices, projected discounted cash flow or other valuation techniques as appropriate.
	Marketable Equity Securities
	Advantest classifies its marketable equity securities as available-for-sale.
	Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until realized. A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed to be other than temporary results in an impairment loss. The impairment loss is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.
	On a periodic basis, Advantest evaluates the available-for-sale securities for possible impairment. Factors considered in assessing whether an indication of other than temporary impairment exists include: the degree of change in ratio of market prices per share to book value per share at the date of evaluation compared to the acquisition date, the financial condition and prospects of each investee company, industry conditions in which the investee company operates, the period of time the fair value of an available-for-sale security has been below the cost basis of the investment and other relevant factors. Advantest generally has the intention and ability to retain available-for-sale securities which it determines that their impairment is not other than temporary for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. The impairment to be recognized is measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the investment exceeds the fair value of the investment.
	The cost of a security sold or the amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings is determined by the average cost method.
	Non-marketable Equity Securities
	Non-marketable equity securities are carried at cost. On a periodic basis, Advantest evaluates these investments for possible impairment. Non-marketable equity securities that have impairment indicators were evaluated to determine whether the investments were impaired and the impairment, if any, is other than temporary. If the impairment is other than temporary, Advantest recognizes an impairment loss to reduce the carrying amount to the fair value and a new cost basis for the security is established.
	(g) Derivative Financial Instruments
	All derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets are stated at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (that are, gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on the objective for holding such instrument and whether it meets the criteria for designation as a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge. If certain conditions are met, entities may elect to designate a derivative instrument as a hedge of exposures to changes in fair values, cash flows, or foreign currencies.
	If the hedged exposure is a fair value exposure, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings in the period of change together with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. If the hedged exposure is a cash flow exposure, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness as well as the ineffective portion of the gain or loss are reported in earnings immediately. If the derivative instrument is not designated as a hedge, the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change.
	(h) Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
	Depreciation is computed principally using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of the assets.
	The depreciation period for major assets ranges from 15 years to 50 years for buildings, 4 years to 10 years for machinery and equipment, and 2 years to 5 years for tools, furniture and fixtures.
	(i) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment.
	Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. Advantest allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, including intangible assets that can be identified. The purchase price in excess of the fair value of the net assets is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred.
	Intangible assets consist of customer relationships and other intangible assets. Advantest has estimated the weighted average amortization period for the customer relationships relating to services to be 7 years. The weighted average amortization period for all intangible assets is approximately 6 years.
	(j) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Advantest reviews impairment of long-lived assets including identifiable intangibles with definite useful lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In such circumstances, if the carrying value of the asset is less than the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group, Advantest recognizes an impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value.
	(k) Accrued Warranty Expenses
	Advantest’s products are generally subject to warranty, and Advantest provides an allowance for such estimated costs when product revenue is recognized. To provide for future repairs during warranty periods, estimated repair expenses over the warranty period are accrued based on the historical ratio of actual repair expenses to corresponding sales, and any facts and circumstances that occurred.
	(l) Convertible Bonds
	Advantest is not required to bifurcate any of the embedded features contained in the ¥30,000 million zero coupon convertible bonds due 2019 (bonds with stock acquisition rights), which was issued in March 2014, for accounting purposes.
	(m) Accrued Pension and Severance Costs
	The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have retirement and severance defined benefit plans covering substantially all of their employees. Prior service benefit and cost, and actuarial gains and losses are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining service period of active employees. The funded status, which is the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations, of pension plans is recognized in the consolidated balance sheet, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) represents the unrecognized actuarial loss and unrecognized prior service cost. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic benefit cost pursuant to Advantest’s accounting policy for amortizing such amounts.
	(n) Revenue Recognition
	General
	Advantest recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred or the services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured.
	Sales of Products
	Sales of products which require installation are recognized when the related installation is completed and other sales recognition criteria are met since the installation is essential to the functionality of the equipment. When customer acceptance is uncertain, revenue is deferred until customer acceptance has been received. When the final payment is subject to customer acceptance, a portion of revenue for the final payment is deferred until an enforceable claim has become effective.
	Sales of products and components which do not require installation service by Advantest is recognized upon shipment if the terms of the sale are free on board (FOB) shipping point or upon delivery if the terms are FOB destination which coincide with the passage of title and risk of loss.
	Long-term Service Contracts
	Revenue from fixed-price, long-term service contracts is recognized on the straight-line basis over the contract term.
	Leasing Income
	Revenue from operating leases is primarily recognized on the straight-line basis over the lease term.
	Multiple Deliverables
	Advantest’s revenue recognition policies provide that, when a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, such as hardware and software products and services, Advantest allocates revenue to each element based on a selling price hierarchy and recognizes revenue when the criteria for revenue recognition have been met for each element. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), if available, third party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.
	(o) Shipping and Handling Costs
	Shipping and handling costs totaled ¥1,409 million, ¥1,564 million and ¥1,591 million for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
	(p) Research and Development Expenses
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
	(q) Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs totaled ¥178 million, ¥497 million and ¥341 million for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and are expensed as incurred.
	(r) Stock-Based Compensation
	Advantest applies the fair-valued-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation and recognizes stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the stock options granted to employees. The cost is recognized on the straight line basis over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The Black Scholes pricing model is used to estimate the value of stock options.
Expected dividend yield is determined by the Company’s dividend ratio of the past and other associated factors. Risk free interest rate is determined by Japanese government bond yield for the period corresponding to expected life. Expected volatility is determined by historical volatility and trend of the Company’s share prices, and other associated factors. Expected life is determined by the Company’s option exercise history, post vesting employment termination behavior for similar grants, and other pertinent factors.
(s) Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Advantest records a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
Advantest establishes reserves for uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not, based on technical merits, that the tax positions will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Benefits from tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Advantest recognizes interest and penalty accruals related to unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations.
(t) Net Income (Loss) per Share
Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income per share reflects the maximum possible dilution from conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities. All potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation in a situation where there is a net loss attributable to Advantest’s stockholders.
(u) Foreign Financial Statements
The financial statements of foreign operations whose functional currency is a local currency are translated into Japanese Yen. Assets and liabilities are translated at the period-end exchange rates and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are shown as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).
The financial statements of foreign operations whose functional currency is Japanese Yen are remeasured into Japanese Yen. All exchange gains and losses from remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in the local currency are included in other income (expense) for the period in which the remeasurement is made.
(v) Foreign Currency Transactions
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated by using the applicable current rate prevailing at that date. All revenue and expenses associated with foreign currencies are translated by using the rate of exchange prevailing when such transactions occur. Those gains (losses) are included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Foreign exchange gains (losses) were (¥2,319) million, (¥1,427) million and (¥655) million for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
(w) Use of Estimates
Management of Advantest has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include valuation of trade receivables, inventories, goodwill, long-lived assets and deferred tax assets, various accruals such as accrued warranty expenses, and assets and obligations related to employees retirement and severance plans. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(x) New Accounting Standards
In July 2012, the FASB amended the accounting guidance to simplify how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment which improve consistency in impairment testing requirements among long-lived asset categories. The guidance permits an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. For assets in which this assessment concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than its carrying value, the guidance eliminates the requirement to perform quantitative impairment testing as outlined in the previously issued standards. The guidance was adopted by Advantest in the first quarter beginning April 1, 2013. The adoption of the guidance did not have a significant impact on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In February 2013, the FASB finalized the accounting guidance for reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This new guidance requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. The guidance was adopted by Advantest in the first quarter beginning April 1, 2013. The adoption of the guidance did not have a significant impact on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In May 2014, the FASB issued the accounting guidance for revenue from contracts with customers. This guidance supersedes virtually all existing revenue recognition requirements under U.S. GAAP and requires an entity to apply the five steps to recognize revenue from contracts with customers unless the contracts are in the scope of other U.S. GAAP requirements. Additionally, an entity should disclose quantitatively and qualitatively sufficient information including contract with customers, significant judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The entity should apply the amendments in this guidance using one of the following two methods; retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this guidance recognized at the date of the initial application. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The guidance is required to be adopted by Advantest in the first quarter beginning April 1, 2017. Advantest is currently evaluating the effect that this adoption will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
(y) Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

Trade_Receivables

Trade Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Trade Receivables	'
	(2) Trade Receivables
	Trade receivables at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Notes	¥	2,570		1,448
	Accounts		24,437		19,084
			27,007		20,532
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts		54		128
		¥	26,953		20,404

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	(3) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012		2013			2014
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	67		75			54
	Provision for (reversal of) allowance		8		(13	)		74
	Amounts written off		—		(8	)		0
	Balance at end of year	¥	75		54			128

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventories	'
	(4) Inventories
	Inventories at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were composed of the following:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Finished goods	¥	6,485		6,509
	Work in process		11,378		11,467
	Raw materials and supplies		13,986		12,224
		¥	31,849		30,200

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	(5) Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were composed of the following:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Land	¥	14,557		14,822
	Buildings		26,213		31,304
	Machinery and equipment		24,071		22,088
	Tools, furniture and fixtures		16,191		15,444
	Construction in progress		4,205		1,099
			85,237		84,757
	Less accumulated depreciation		43,869		44,832
		¥	41,368		39,925
	Depreciation expense was ¥4,326 million, ¥5,778 million and ¥6,106 million for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	During the year ended March 31, 2014, as a result of lower than expected future cash flows and changes in the business environment including a larger-than-expected contraction in the semiconductor test equipment market, chiefly in the smartphone semiconductor test space, Advantest recognized impairment losses of ¥1,099 million and ¥497 million in its semiconductor and component test system segment and its mechatronics system segment, respectively. The total impairment loss of ¥1,596 million was included in cost of sales and impairment charge in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	(6) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	The components of intangible assets excluding goodwill at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013				2014
		Gross carrying		Accumulated		Gross carrying		Accumulated
		amount		amortization		amount		amortization
	Intangible assets subject to amortization:
	Software	¥	2,306		1,624	¥	1,623		852
	Customer relationships		2,549		573		1,184		482
	Patented technologies		4,995		1,037		—		—
	Developed technologies		7,524		1,652		—		—
	Other		2,005		473		640		336
			19,379		5,359		3,447		1,670
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	In-process technologies		1,589		—		1,544		—
	Other		224		—		224		—
			1,813		—		1,768		—
	Intangible assets:
	Balance at end of year	¥	21,192		5,359	¥	5,215		1,670
	Aggregate amortization expense for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was ¥2,512 million, ¥2,285 million and ¥2,162 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years ending March 31 is ¥655 million in 2015, ¥742 million in 2016, ¥625 million in 2017, ¥575 million in 2018, and ¥196 million in 2019, respectively.
	During the year ended March 31, 2014, as a result of lower than expected future cash flows and changes in the business environment including a larger-than-expected contraction in the semiconductor test equipment market, chiefly in the smartphone semiconductor test space, Advantest recognized impairment losses of ¥11,671 million and ¥228 million in its semiconductor and component test system segment and its mechatronics system segment, respectively. The total impairment loss of ¥11,899 million was included in cost of sales and impairment charge in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013
		Semiconductor		Mechatronics		Services,		Total
		and Component		System		Support
		Test System		Business		and Others
		Business
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	21,911		—		14,585		36,496
	Translation adjustments		3,069		—		2,105		5,174
	Balance at end of year		24,980		—		16,690		41,670
		Yen (Millions)
		2014
		Semiconductor		Mechatronics		Services,		Total
		and Component		System		Support and
		Test System		Business		Others
		Business
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	24,980		—		16,690		41,670
	Acquisition of subsidiary		—		—		1,252		1,252
	Translation adjustments		2,295		—		1,629		3,924
	Balance at end of year		27,275		—		19,571		46,846
	Advantest performed its annual impairment test for goodwill at the reporting unit level and identified no impairments at March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Investment_Securities

Investment Securities	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investment Securities	'
	(7) Investment Securities
	Marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale securities. The acquisition cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013
		Acquisition		Gross		Gross		Fair
		cost		unrealized		unrealized		value
				gains		losses
	Noncurrent:
	Available-for-sale:
	Equity securities	¥	3,079		2,377		1		5,455
		Yen (Millions)
		2014
		Acquisition		Gross		Gross		Fair
		cost		unrealized		unrealized		value
				gains		losses
	Noncurrent:
	Available-for-sale:
	Equity securities	¥	2,055		1,244		27		3,272
	Equity securities consist primarily of stocks issued by Japanese listed companies.
	Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities and gross realized gains on available-for-sales securities for the year ended March 31, 2012 were ¥10,717 million and ¥19 million. Gross realized losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities for the year ended March 31, 2012 were insignificant. Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities and gross realized gains on available-for-sale securities for the year ended March 31, 2013 were ¥425 million and ¥388 million. No losses were realized on the sale of available-for-sale securities for the year ended March 31, 2013. Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities and gross realized gains on available-for-sale securities for the year ended March 31, 2014 were ¥2,482 million and ¥1,396 million. No losses were realized on the sale of available-for-sale securities for the year ended March 31, 2014.
	For the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2013, Advantest recognized impairment losses of ¥1,259 million and ¥388 million, respectively, on available-for-sale securities, which were considered other-than-temporarily impaired and wrote them down to the fair value. There were no impairment losses on available-for-sale securities, which were not considered other-than-temporarily impaired for the year ended March 31, 2014.
	Gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2013 and 2014, were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013
		Less than 12 months				12 months or longer
		Fair		Gross		Fair		Gross
		value		unrealized		value		unrealized
				losses				losses
	Noncurrent:
	Available-for-sale:
	Equity securities	¥	—		—		5		1
		Yen (Millions)
		2014
		Less than 12 months				12 months or longer
		Fair		Gross		Fair		Gross
		value		unrealized		value		unrealized
				losses				losses
	Noncurrent:
	Available-for-sale:
	Equity securities	¥	289		27		—		—
	Advantest maintains non-marketable equity securities, which are recorded at cost. The carrying amounts of non-marketable equity securities were ¥468 million and ¥469 million at March 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Advantest had not estimated the fair value of other non-marketable equity securities aggregating ¥460 million and ¥469 million at March 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, since it was not practicable to estimate the fair value of the investments due to the lack of readily determinable fair values and difficulty in estimating fair value without incurring excessive cost. Non-marketable equity securities that had impairment indicators were evaluated to determine whether the investments were impaired and the impairment, if any, was other than temporary. For the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2013, non-marketable equity securities with a purchase cost of ¥1,395 million and ¥20 million were written down to their estimated fair values of ¥400 million and ¥8 million, resulting in other-than-temporary impairment charges of ¥995 million and ¥12 million, respectively, which were included in impairment losses on investment securities in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. No impairment indicators were recognized and, accordingly, no impairment losses were recorded on non-marketable equity securities for the year ended March 31, 2014.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	(8) Derivative Financial Instruments
	Advantest uses derivative instruments primarily to manage exposures to foreign currency. The primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. The instruments are not designated for trading or speculative purposes. Derivative financial instruments contain an element of risk in the event the counterparties are unable to meet the terms of the agreements. However, Advantest minimizes risk exposure by limiting the counterparties to major international banks and financial institutions meeting established credit guidelines. Management of Advantest does not expect any counterparty to default on its obligations and, therefore, does not expect to incur any losses due to counterparty default on its obligations. Advantest generally does not require or place collateral for these derivative financial instruments.
	In accordance with U.S. GAAP, Advantest recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value of the derivatives are recorded as other income (expense).
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of forward contracts to reduce Advantest’s risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations, as gains and losses on these contracts are intended to offset exchange losses and gains on underlying exposures. Changes in fair value of foreign exchange contracts are recognized in earnings under the caption of other income (expense).
	Advantest had foreign exchange contracts to exchange currencies among Japanese yen, US dollar and Euro during the year ended March 31, 2013 and 2014. The notional amounts of outstanding forward contracts for foreign currency sales were ¥147 million at March 31, 2013. However, there were no outstanding forward contracts for foreign currency purchases and sales as of March 31, 2014.
	Fair Value of Derivative Contracts
	Fair values of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
		Yen (Millions)
		March 31, 2013			March 31, 2014
		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
	Assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	¥	16	Other current assets			—
	Liabilities
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current liabilities	¥	0	Other current liabilities			—
	Effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	The effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Location of gain (loss) recognized	Yen (Millions)
		in income on derivatives	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in
			income on derivatives
			2012		2013				2014
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other income (expense)	¥	630		-96				96

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Fair Value Measurement

'

(9) Fair Value Measurement

Disclosure about the fair value of Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of Advantest’s financial instruments at March 31, 2013 and 2014. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Yen (Millions)

2013

2014

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

amount

value

amount

value

Financial assets:

Investment securities

Available-for-sale securities

¥

5,455

5,455

¥

3,272

3,272

Foreign exchange contracts

16

16

—

—

Financial liabilities:

Foreign exchange contracts

0

0

—

—

Corporate bonds

25,000

25,026

25,000

24,975

Convertible bonds

—

—

30,149

31,518

The carrying amounts of available-for-sale securities are included in the consolidated balance sheets under investment securities. The carrying amounts of foreign exchange contracts are included in other current assets and other current liabilities.

The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade accounts payable: The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Available-for-sale securities: The fair values of available-for-sale equity securities are based on quoted market prices at the reporting date for those investments.

Foreign exchange contracts: The fair value of foreign exchange contracts are estimated by obtaining quotes from financial institutions.

Corporate bonds and convertible bonds: The fair values of corporate bonds and convertible bonds are estimated using quoted market prices, and are classified as Level 2.

Fair Value Hierarchy

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value are prioritized into the following three levels:

Level 1—Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Assets / Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

As of March 31, 2013 and 2014, carrying amount of assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level was as follows:

Yen (Millions)

Fair Value Measurements at

March 31, 2013

Quoted

Significant

Significant

Prices in

Other

Unobservable

Active

Observable

Inputs

Markets

Inputs

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Assets

Available-for-sale equity securities

¥

5,455

5,455

—

—

Foreign exchange contracts

16

—

16

—

Total assets measured at fair value

5,471

5,455

16

—

Liabilities

Foreign exchange contracts

0

—

0

—

Total liabilities measured at fair value

¥

0

—

0

—

Yen (Millions)

Fair Value Measurements at

March 31, 2014

Total

Quoted

Significant

Significant

Prices in

Other

Unobservable

Active

Observable

Inputs

Markets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

Assets

Available-for-sale equity securities

¥

3,272

3,272

—

—

Total assets measured at fair value

3,272

3,272

—

—

Adjustments to fair value of available-for-sale equity securities are recorded as an increase or decrease, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) except where losses are considered to be other than temporary, in which case the losses are recorded in impairment losses on investment securities. Changes in fair value of foreign exchange contracts are recorded as other income (expense).

Assets / Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

As of March 31, 2013 and 2014, carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, which were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by level during the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014, were as follows:

Yen (Millions)

Fair Value Measurements at

Total gains

March 31, 2013

(losses) for

the year

ended

March 31,

Total

Quoted

Significant

Significant

2013

Prices in

Other

Unobservable

Active

Observable

Inputs

Markets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level1)

(Level 2)

Assets

Non-marketable equity securities

¥

8

—

—

8

(12

)

Assets held for sale

1,337

—

—

1,337

(134

)

Total assets measured at fair value

1,345

—

—

1,345

Total gains (losses) for assets held as of March 31, 2013

(146

)

Yen (Millions)

Fair Value Measurements at

Total gains

March 31, 2014

(losses) for

the year

ended

March 31,

Total

Quoted

Significant

Significant

2014

Prices in

Other

Unobservable

Active

Observable

Inputs

Markets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

Assets

Property, plant and equipment

¥

—

—

—

—

(1,596

)

Intangible assets

—

—

—

—

(11,899

)

Total assets measured at fair value

—

—

—

—

Total gains (losses) for assets held as of March 31, 2014

(13,495

)

As of March 31, 2013, Advantest reclassified certain land measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis of ¥1,337 million as asset held for sale. As of March 31, 2013, Advantest reclassified certain land of ¥1,144 million as asset held for sale. The assets held for sale were included in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. As a result of lower than expected future cash flows and changes in the business environment impact on profits, for the year ended March 31, 2014, Advantest recognized impairment losses of ¥13,495 million on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The impairment loss was included in cost of sales and impairment charge in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Advantest recognized impairment losses of non-marketable equity securities when their fair values were below the carrying amounts and the decline in fair values was considered to be other than temporary. The non-marketable equity securities are valued using the market and income approaches. The fair value of non-marketable equity securities is based on quoted prices in markets that are not active at the reporting date, or present value of expected future cash flows for those investments. The fair value was determined based on a third-party appraisal using similar assets and sales. The property, plant and equipment and the intangible assets are valued using the income approaches based on present value of expected future cash flows. The fair value is classified as Level 3 because significant unobservable inputs were involved in the fair value measurements.

LeasesLessor

Leases-Lessor	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Leases-Lessor	'
	(10) Leases—Lessor
	Advantest provides leases that enable its customers to use its semiconductor test systems. All leases are classified as operating leases. Lease terms range from 1 year to 5 years, and certain of the lease agreements are cancelable. The gross amount of machinery and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation under operating leases as of March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Machinery and equipment	¥	9,419		8,354
	Less accumulated depreciation		5,840		6,661
		¥	3,579		1,693
	Depreciation of machinery and equipment held under operating leases is included with depreciation expense. These assets are included in property, plant and equipment.
	Future minimum lease income under noncancelable operating leases as of March 31, 2014 is as follows:
	Year ending March 31	Yen (Millions)
	2015	¥	664
	2016		154
	2017		—
	2018		—
	2019		—
	Thereafter		—
	Total minimum lease income	¥	818

LeasesLessee

Leases-Lessee	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Leases-Lessee	'
	(11) Leases—Lessee
	Advantest has several noncancelable operating leases, primarily for office space and office equipment. Rent expense, including rental payments for cancelable leases, for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was ¥1,565 million, ¥1,800 million and ¥2,039 million, respectively.
	Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of March 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Year ending March 31	Yen (Millions)
	2015	¥	834
	2016		721
	2017		365
	2018		332
	2019		272
	Thereafter		844
			3,368
	Less sublease income to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases		585
	Net minimum lease payments	¥	2,783

Corporate_Bonds_and_Convertibl

Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds	'
	(12) Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds
	The carrying values of corporate bonds and convertible bonds at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Unsecured 0.416% bonds, due May 25, 2015	¥	10,000		10,000
	Unsecured 0.606% bonds, due May 25, 2017	¥	15,000		15,000
	Corporate bonds	¥	25,000		25,000
	Unsecured zero coupon convertible bonds, due March 14, 2019	¥	—		30,000
	Add unamortized premium	¥	—		149
	Convertible bonds	¥	—		30,149
	As of March 31, 2013, the Company had no convertible bonds. In March 2014, the Company issued ¥30,000 million zero coupon convertible bonds due 2019 (the “Zero Coupon Convertible Bonds”). The bondholders are entitled to stock acquisition rights effective from April 1, 2014 to February 28, 2019. The initial conversion price is ¥1,655 per common share. Aside from the standard anti-dilution provisions, the conversion price is reduced for a certain period before an early redemption is triggered upon the occurrence of certain corporate events including a merger, corporate split, delisting and squeeze-out event. The reduced amount of the conversion price will be determined by a formula which is based on the effective date of the reduction and the Company’s common stock price. The reduced conversion price ranges from ¥1,123 to ¥1,655 per common share. The conversion price is also adjusted for dividends in excess of 15 yen per common share per fiscal year. The bondholders may require the Company to redeem the Zero Coupon Convertible Bonds, on or after a reduction in the conversion price is triggered, at 100.0% of its principal amount, together with a redemption premium which begins at 3.0% of the principal amount and ends at zero, amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the Zero Coupon Convertible Bonds. In addition, the Company has the option to redeem all of the Zero Coupon Convertible Bonds outstanding at 100.0% of the principal amount, if less than 10.0% of the original issuance is outstanding.
	The combined aggregate amounts of maturities for corporate bonds and convertible bonds as of March 31, 2014, by year payable, were as follows:
	Year ending March 31	Yen (Millions)
	2015	¥	—
	2016		10,000
	2017		—
	2018		15,000
	2019		30,000
	Thereafter		—
	Total	¥	55,000

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes	'
	(13) Income Taxes
	The components of income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company and provision (benefit) for income taxes as shown in the consolidated statements of operations were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company:
	The Company and domestic subsidiaries	¥	(2,775	)		(16,721	)		(29,581	)
	Foreign subsidiaries		(667	)		15,428			(5,920	)
		¥	(3,442	)		(1,293	)		(35,501	)
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
	Current:
	The Company and domestic subsidiaries	¥	555			411			248
	Foreign subsidiaries		1,841			1,243			2,027
	Deferred:
	The Company and domestic subsidiaries		(1,513	)		(272	)		545
	Foreign subsidiaries		(2,123	)		1,111			(2,759	)
		¥	(1,240	)		2,493			61
	The Company and its domestic subsidiaries are subject to a number of income taxes, which in the aggregate resulted in statutory income tax rates of 40.4%, 37.8% and 37.7% for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Following the promulgation on March 31, 2014 of “Act for Partial Amendment of the Income Tax Act, etc.” (Act No. 10 of 2014), the Company is no longer subject to Special Reconstruction Corporation Tax for the consolidated fiscal year starting from April 1, 2014.
	Following enactment of the act, the effective statutory tax rate used to measure deferred tax assets and liabilities was changed from 37.8% to 35.4% for temporary differences expected to be eliminated in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2014.
	The amendment did not have a significant impact on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	Prior to the acquisition, Verigy was a Singapore corporation and had negotiated tax incentives with the Singapore Economic Development Board (“EDB”), an agency of the Government of Singapore, which had been approved by Singapore’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Trade and Industry. Subsequent to the acquisition, our reorganization of subsidiaries in Singapore was developed, and such tax incentives were terminated on March 31, 2012. New tax incentives were granted by the EDB effective April 1, 2012. Under the new incentive, a majority of the income earned in Singapore during the incentive periods is subject to reduced rates of Singapore income tax. The incentive expired on March 31, 2014. The Singapore corporate income tax rates that would apply, absent of the incentive, is 17% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014. Due to the low level of taxable income attributable to Singapore, the impact on income taxes was immaterial for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014.
	A reconciliation of the Japanese statutory income tax rate and the effective income tax rate as a percentage of income before income taxes was as follows:
		2012			2013			2014
	Statutory rates for expense (benefit)		(40.4	)%		(37.8	)%		(37.7	)%
	Effects on income taxes resulting from:
	Earnings of foreign subsidiaries taxed at different rates from the statutory rate in Japan		12.3			(319.8	)		8.6
	Tax credits		(60.9	)		(176.5	)		15.8
	Expenses not deductible for tax purposes		4.3			11.3			0.5
	Expiration of stock options		9.5			16.6			0.1
	Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries		(20.0	)		(6.0	)		0.2
	Change in valuation allowance		(92.1	)		704.3			10.5
	Effect of enacted changes in tax laws and rates on Japanese tax		149.9			—			3.7
	Other, net		1.4			0.7			(1.5	)
			(36.0	)%		192.8	%		0.2	%
	The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were presented below.
		Yen (Millions)
		2013			2014
	Deferred tax assets:
	Inventories	¥	3,327			3,708
	Accrued warranty expenses		614			474
	Accrued pension and severance costs		9,212			9,455
	Accrued expenses		1,358			1,001
	Research and development expenses capitalized for tax purposes		2,470			2,381
	Operating loss carryforwards		38,912			49,097
	Property, plant and equipment		3,340			3,614
	Tax credits		8,122			2,368
	Other		2,059			1,924
	Total gross deferred tax assets		69,414			74,022
	Less valuation allowance		(59,072	)		(62,834	)
	Net deferred tax assets		10,342			11,188
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets		(2,558	)		(567	)
	Net unrealized gains on marketable securities		(805	)		(316	)
	Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries		(689	)		(769	)
	Other		(43	)		(157	)
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities		(4,095	)		(1,809	)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	¥	6,247			9,379
	Management of Advantest intends to reinvest undistributed earnings of the Company’s certain foreign subsidiaries for an indefinite period of time. As a result, no deferred tax liabilities has been recognized on undistributed earnings of these subsidiaries not expected to be remitted in the foreseeable future, aggregating ¥9,697 million and ¥13,049 million at March 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Deferred tax liabilities will be recognized when Advantest expects that it will realize those undistributed earnings in a taxable manner, such as through receipt of dividends or sale of the investments. The related deferred tax liability would have been ¥1,426 million and ¥1,922 million at March 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Included in other current assets and other assets were deferred tax assets of ¥7,639 million and ¥10,247 million at March 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Included in other current liabilities and other liabilities were deferred tax liabilities of ¥1,392 million and ¥868 million at March 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	At March 31, 2014, Advantest had total net operating loss carry forwards for income tax purposes of ¥145,173 million which are available to reduce future taxable income. Net operating loss carry forwards of ¥124,252 million attributable to the Company and domestic subsidiaries in Japan will expire during the years ending March 31, 2015 through 2023. Other net operating loss carry forwards of ¥17,912 million have no expiration dates and the remaining other net operating loss carry forwards of ¥3,009 million will expire predominately during the years ending March 31, 2032. Net operating loss carryforwards utilized during the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were ¥25 million, ¥14,728 million and ¥2,712 million, respectively.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon projections for future taxable income including management’s expectations of future semiconductor market and semiconductor and component test systems market prospects over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible and other factors, management believes it is more likely than not that Advantest will realize the benefits of these deductible tax differences, net of valuation allowance.
The changes in valuation allowance for the years ended March 31 were as follows:
	Yen (Millions)
	2012			2013			2014
Balance at beginning of year	¥	52,082			50,188			59,072
Additions		—			8,884			3,762
Reductions		1,894			—			—
Balance at end of year	¥	50,188			59,072			62,834
For the year ended March 31, 2012, the valuation allowance decreased due to reductions in deferred tax assets associated with change of tax rate in Japan. For the year ended March 31, 2013 and 2014, valuation allowance increased primarily due to an increase in net operating loss carryforwards.
The management believes the amount of the deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance were considered realizable.
However, the amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable could be changed in the future if estimates of future taxable income are revised. This could result in the significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
	Yen (Millions)
	2012			2013			2014
Balance at beginning of year	¥	—			1,484			1,418
Acquisition of verigy		1,671			—			—
Increase for tax positions of previous years		148			84			84
Increase for tax positions of current year		57			0			0
Settlements		(47	)		(58	)		0
Lapse of the applicable statute of limitations		(341	)		(248	)		(274	)
Translation adjustments		(4	)		156			124
Balance at end of year		1,484			1,418			1,352
Although Advantest believes its estimates and assumptions of unrecognized tax benefits are reasonable, uncertainty regarding the final determination of tax audits, settlements and any related litigation could affect the effective tax rate in the future periods. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would reduce the effective tax rate, if recognized, is ¥1,352 million at March 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2014, Advantest does not expect changes in its tax positions that would significantly increase or decrease unrecognized tax benefits within next 12 months. Both interest and penalties accrued are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and both interest and penalties are included in the income tax provision in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are immaterial.
Advantest files income tax returns in Japan and various foreign tax jurisdictions. As of March 31, 2014, Advantest open tax years are from 2007 in Japan, 2012 in Taiwan, and 2009 in the United States.

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Los

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	(14) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The accumulated balances for each classification of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			Foreign			Net unrealized			Pension			Net unrealized			Accumulated
			currency			gains (losses)			related			gains (losses)			other
			translation			on investment			adjustment			on derivative			comprehensive
			adjustments			securities						instruments			income (loss)
	Balance at March 31, 2011		¥	(14,738	)		773			(4,305	)		—			(18,270	)
	Change during the year			864			(216	)		(6,565	)		(55	)		(5,972	)
	Reclassification adjustments			558			818			237			55			1,668
				1,422			602			(6,328	)		—			(4,304	)
	Balance at March 31, 2012		¥	(13,316	)		1,375			(10,633	)		—			(22,574	)
	Change during the year			17,250			165			(2,251	)		—			15,164
	Reclassification adjustments			—			9			472			—			481
				17,250			174			(1,779	)		—			15,645
	Balance at March 31, 2013		¥	3,934			1,549			(12,412	)		—			(6,929	)
	Change during the year			12,555			260			(603	)		—			12,212
	Reclassification adjustments			—			(902	)		945			—			43
				12,555			(642	)		342			—			12,255
	Balance at March 31, 2014		¥	16,489			907			(12,070	)		—			5,326
	The related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			Before-tax			Tax (expense)			Net-of-tax
			amount			or benefit			amount
	Year ended March 31, 2012:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		¥	1,422			—			1,422
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
	Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year			(509	)		293			(216	)
	Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) realized in earnings			1,267			(449	)		818
	Net unrealized gains (losses)			758			(156	)		602
	Pension related adjustment			(7,191	)		863			(6,328	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		¥	(5,011	)		707			(4,304	)
	Year ended March 31, 2013:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		¥	17,250			—			17,250
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
	Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year			321			(156	)		165
	Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) realized in earnings			(1	)		10			9
	Net unrealized gains (losses)			320			(146	)		174
	Pension related adjustment			(1,908	)		129			(1,779	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		¥	15,662			(17	)		15,645
	Year ended March 31, 2014:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		¥	12,555			—			12,555
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
	Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year			361			(101	)		260
	Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) realized in earnings			(1,396	)		494			(902	)
	Net unrealized gains (losses)			(1,035	)		393			(642	)
	Pension related adjustment			165			177			342
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		¥	11,685			570			12,255
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended March 31, 2014 was as follow:
			Yen (Millions)
			Year ended March 31, 2014
			Amount reclassified			Affected line items in consolidated
			from accumulated other			statements of income
			comprehensive income
			(loss) *(1)
	Unrealized gains and losses on investment securities			¥ (1,396	)	Other income (expense): Other, net
				494		Income taxes
				(902	)	Net income (loss)
	Pension liability adjustments
	Amortization of actuarial loss			1,264		-2
	Amortization of prior service			(168	)	-2
	cost			(151	)	Income taxes
				945		Net income
Total amount reclassified, net of tax			¥ 43
-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate a gain in the consolidated statements of operations.
-2	The accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see note 16 for additional details).

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	(15) Stock-Based Compensation
	Advantest has stock-based compensation plans using stock options as incentive plans for directors, executive officers, corporate auditors and selected employees. Stock options have been issued to directors, executive officers, corporate auditors and certain employees of the Company and its subsidiaries under stock option plans approved by the Board of Directors. Options were generally granted with an exercise prices of per share that were equal to the higher of (1) 1.05 times the average price of the Company’s common shares of the preceding month on the date of grant and (2) the closing price of the Company’s common shares traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on the date of grant. The options have an exercise period of 4 years.
	In connection with the acquisition of Verigy, the Company assumed the stock options previously granted to Verigy directors and employees. Therefore, replacement options were granted for all 89 types of stock options arrangements previously granted to the directors and employees of Verigy and its subsidiaries under a stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors of Advantest. The terms and conditions of the granted options are substantially the same as those for the Verigy stock options. The number of granted shares totaled 2,387,046. Options were granted with exercise prices from ¥807 to ¥3,577 per share. All options are exercisable from July 20, 2011. The options have expiration dates from July 29, 2011 to January 31, 2018.
	The exercise price of the stock options is subject to adjustment, if there is a stock split or consolidation of shares, or if new shares are issued or treasury stocks are sold at a price that is less than the market price.
	Stock option activity during the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was as follows:
		2012					2013					2014
		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted
		shares			average		shares			average		shares			average
					exercise					exercise					exercise
					price					price					price
	Outstanding at beginning of year		1,948,000		¥	3,392		4,888,206		¥	1,616		5,704,699		¥	1,418
	Granted		4,033,046			1,399		2,521,000			1,207		2,763,000			1,669
	Exercised		—			—		(522,297	)		880		(406,318	)		1,237
	Expired		(595,840	)		5,302		(592,354	)		2,590		(669,605	)		2,056
	Forfeited		(497,000	)		2,396		(589,856	)		1,461		(297,437	)		2,090
	Outstanding at end of year		4,888,206			1,616		5,704,699			1,418		7,094,339			1,523
	Exercisable at end of year		3,585,206		¥	1,648		3,222,699		¥	1,580		4,442,339		¥	1,437
	Stock based compensation expense recognized was ¥583 million, ¥861 million and ¥1,283 million, which was included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The recognized tax benefits were ¥153 million, ¥235 million and ¥324 million for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. In addition, the stock options, granted during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2008 subsequent to a change in Japanese tax law effective April 1, 2006, expired unused during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and 2014, and the related deferred tax assets of ¥214 million and ¥19 million were reversed, respectively. As of March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, a valuation allowance was recorded against substantially all related deferred tax assets.
	The weighted average fair value per share for stock options that were granted during the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were ¥448, ¥347 and ¥460, respectively. These figures were calculated based on the Black Scholes option pricing model by using the following weighted average estimates:
		2012			2013		2014
	Expected dividend yield		0.40%			1.10%		1.10%
	Risk free interest rate		0.50%			0.10%		0.20%
	Volatility		49.30%			50.70%		44.70%
	Expected life		3.1 years			3.9 years		2.8 years
	No stock options were exercised during the year ended March 31, 2012. Cash proceeds from options exercised for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 was ¥472 million and ¥494 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was ¥1,244 million, ¥583 million and ¥ 861 million, respectively. No intrinsic value of options exercised was recognized for the years ended March 31, 2012. The total intrinsic values of options exercised for the year ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 was ¥131 million and ¥151, respectively.
	At March 31, 2014, all of the outstanding stock options were as follows:
		Outstanding								Exercisable
	Exercise price	Number of			Weighted		Weighted			Number of		Weighted			Weighted
		options			average		average			options		average			average
					exercise		remaining					exercise			remaining
					price		contractual					price			contractual
							life								life
	¥897 - ¥1,668		3,767,889			1,327		2.6 years			3,767,889		1,327			2.6 years
	¥1,669 - ¥3,529		3,326,450			1,746		3.5 years			674,450		2,051			1.4 years
			7,094,339			1,523		3.0 years			4,442,339		1,437			2.4 years
	The aggregate intrinsic value for the options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2014 was ¥4 million.

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accrued Pension and Severance Costs	'
	(16) Accrued Pension and Severance Costs
	The Company and certain of its Japanese subsidiaries have unfunded retirement and severance plans (point-based benefits system). Under a point-based benefits system, the benefits are calculated based on accumulated points allocated to employees each year according to their job classification and their performance. The Company and its Japanese subsidiaries also have a defined benefit corporate pension plan covering substantially all employees. Under the cash balance pension plan, the benefits are calculated based on accumulated points allocated to employees each year according to their job classification and their performance with a certain interest rate calculated based on the upper and lower limit of a market interest rate.
	Certain overseas subsidiaries also have defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of their employees. Benefits payable under the plans are based on employee compensation levels and years of service.
	Information about the retirement and severance plans of Advantest for the years ended March 31 was as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2012						2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost		¥	1,355			227			1,487			345			1,735			377
	Interest cost			748			242			689			348			565			448
	Expected return on plan assets			(405	)		(237	)		(299	)		(267	)		(464	)		(331	)
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Net actuarial (gain) or loss			511			—			790			241			919			345
	Prior service (benefit) cost			(172	)		—			(168	)		—			(168	)		—
	Other			(18	)		—			—			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost		¥	2,019			232			2,499			667			2,587			839
	The following table sets forth the plans’ benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, funded status at March 31, 2013 and 2014.
			Yen (Millions)
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Balance at beginning of year		¥	38,433			10,214			43,589			11,932
	Service cost			1,487			345			1,735			377
	Interest cost			689			348			565			448
	Actuarial (gain) or loss			3,645			420			1,451			724
	Plan amendment			—			34			—			—
	Plan participants’ contributions			—			16			—			126
	Benefits paid			(665	)		(548	)		(708	)		(90	)
	Translation adjustments			—			1,103			—			2,102
	Balance at end of year			43,589			11,932			46,632			15,619
	Change in plan assets:
	Balance at beginning of year			19,995			4,636			23,207			5,436
	Employer contributions			1,759			26			1,868			40
	Plan participants’ contributions			—			131			—			126
	Actual return or (loss) on plan assets			2,010			297			2,244			271
	Benefits paid			(557	)		(158	)		(534	)		(90	)
	Translation adjustments			—			504			—			954
	Balance at end of year			23,207			5,436			26,785			6,737
	Funded status		¥	(20,382	)		(6,496	)		(19,847	)		(8,882	)
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Accrued expenses		¥	(196	)		(107	)		(157	)		(57	)
	Accrued pension and severance costs			(20,186	)		(6,389	)		(19,690	)		(8,825	)
				(20,382	)		(6,496	)		(19,847	)		(8,882	)
	Pension related adjustments (before tax) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Actuarial loss		¥	(11,517	)		(3,522	)		(10,270	)		(4,436	)
	Prior service benefit			1,173			—			1,005			—
				(10,344	)		(3,522	)		(9,265	)		(4,436	)
	Changes in pension related adjustments (before tax) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 were summarized as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Current year actuarial gain (loss)		¥	(1,935	)		(403	)		328			(797	)
Amortization of actuarial gain			790			241			919			345
Current year prior service benefit			—			—			—			—
Amortization of prior service benefit and other			(168	)		—			(168	)		—
Translation adjustments			—			(433	)		—			(462	)
			(1,313	)		(595	)		1,079			(914	)
The estimated prior service cost and actuarial loss for the defined benefit pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost over the next year are summarized as follow:
		Yen (Millions)
		Japanese			Non-Japanese
		Plans			plans
Actuarial loss		¥	898			392
Prior service benefit			(168	)		—
			730			392
Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were summarized as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013						2014
		Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
		plans			plans			plans			plans
Projected benefit obligation		¥	43,589			11,932			46,632			15,619
Accumulated benefit obligation			42,573			10,076			45,693			13,454
Fair value of plan assets			23,207			5,436			26,785			6,737
Other information about the retirement and severance plans of Advantest was as follows:
Measurement date:
The measurement date for the pension plans is March 31.
Assumptions:
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of March 31:
		2013						2014
		Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
		plans			plans			plans			plans
Discount rate			1.3	%		3.5	%		1.3	%		3.4	%
Rate of compensation increase			3	%		2.6	%		2.6	%		2.8	%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended March 31:
		2012						2013						2014
		Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
		plans			plans			plans			plans			plans			plans
Discount rate			2.2	%		4.8	%		1.8	%		3.7	%		1.3	%		3.5	%
Expected return on plan assets			2	%		6.6	%		1.5	%		5.7	%		2	%		5.9	%
Rate of compensation increase			3	%		2.8	%		3	%		2.8	%		3	%		2.6	%
Advantest determines the expected return based on the asset portfolio, historical returns and estimated future returns.
Plan assets:
Advantest’s investment policies are designed to ensure adequate plan assets are available to provide future payments of pension benefits to eligible participants by attaining necessary long-term total returns on plan assets. Taking into consideration the expected returns, associated risks and correlations of returns between asset categories in plan assets, Advantest determines an optimal combination of equity, debt securities and other investments as Policy Asset Allocation (“PAA”). Plan assets are invested in accordance with PAA with mid-term to long-term viewpoint, which is revised periodically to the extent considered necessary to achieve the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.
Japanese benefit plans’ weighted-average asset allocation at March 31, 2013 and 2014 by asset category were as follows:
		2013			2014			Target
Equity securities			34.5	%		37.9	%		30	%
Debt securities			30.1			26.2			35
Cash			9.5			5.2			2
Life insurance company general accounts			13			10.8			13
Other			12.9			19.9			20
			100	%		100	%		100	%
Non-Japanese benefit plans’ weighted-average asset allocation at March 31, 2013 and 2014 by asset category were as follows:
		2013			2014			Target
Equity securities			42.8	%		43.1	%		43.5	%
Debt securities			35.1			25			25.3
Cash			18.2			28.9			28.2
Other			3.9			3			3
			100	%		100	%		100	%
The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value of plan assets are as follows:
	Level 1:	Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets.
	Level 2:	Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 for the assets, either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3:	Unobservable inputs for the assets.
Japanese benefit plans’ asset allocation at March 31, 2013 and 2014 by asset level were as follows:
					Yen (Millions)
					Fair Value Measurements at
					March 31, 2013
		Total			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents			2,202			2,202			—			—
Equity securities:
Japanese companies			1,379			1,379			—			—
Pooled funds (a)			6,633			—			6,633			—
Debt securities:
Pooled funds (b)			6,975			—			6,975			—
Hedge funds (c)			2,993			—			1,980			1,013
Life insurance company general accounts			3,025			—			3,025			—
Total			23,207			3,581			18,613			1,013
(a)	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of approximately 60% Japanese listed companies and 40% foreign listed companies.
(b)	These funds invested in approximately 80% Japanese government bonds, 15% Japanese corporate bonds, and 5% Japanese municipal bonds.
(c)	These hedge funds invested in stock price index futures / options, bond futures / options, bonds and private equity funds and others.
					Yen (Millions)
					Fair Value Measurements at
					March 31, 2014
		Total			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents			1,400			1,400			—			—
Equity securities:
Japanese companies			937			937			—			—
Pooled funds (d)			9,211			—			9,211			—
Debt securities:
Pooled funds (e)			7,025			—			7,025			—
Hedge funds (f)			5,316			—			3,139			2,177
Life insurance company general accounts			2,896			—			2,896			—
Total			26,785			2,337			22,271			2,177
(d)	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of approximately 55% Japanese listed companies and 45% foreign listed companies.
(e)	These funds invested in approximately 80% Japanese government bonds, 15% Japanese corporate bonds, and 5% Japanese municipal bonds.
(f)	These hedge funds invested in stock price index futures / options, bond futures / options, bonds and private equity funds and others.
Level 1 assets are comprised principally of listed equity securities, which are valued based on quoted market prices at the reporting date for those investments.
Level 2 assets are comprised principally of pooled funds and investments in life insurance company general accounts. Pooled funds are valued at their net asset values that are calculated by the sponsors of the funds. Investments in life insurance company general accounts are valued at conversion value. Level 2 also includes certain hedge funds that are redeemable in the near term at their net asset values.
Level 3 assets are comprised of hedge funds, which are valued at their net asset values that are calculated by the sponsors of the funds.
Changes in the Level 3 plan assets for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013			2014
		Hedge funds			Hedge funds
Balance at beginning of year		¥	1,137			1,013
Net realized / unrealized gain (loss)			23			186
Purchases, issuances and settlements			(147	)		978
Transfer in and / or out of Level 3			—			—
Balance at end of year		¥	1,013			2,177
Non-Japanese benefit plan asset allocation at March 31, 2013 and 2014 by asset level were as follows:
					Yen (Millions)
					Fair Value Measurements at
					March 31, 2013
		Total			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents (a)			992			992			—			—
Equity securities:
Pooled funds (b)			2,326			—			2,326			—
Debt securities:
Pooled funds (c)			1,910			—			1,910			—
Commodities			208			—			208			—
Total			5,436			992			4,444			—
(a)	Cash equivalents were primarily in short-term investment funds, which consisted of short-term money market instruments that were valued using quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
(b)	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of foreign equities.
(c)	These funds invested in international bonds.
					Yen (Millions)
					Fair Value Measurements at
					March 31, 2014
		Total			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents (d)			1,949			1,949			—			—
Equity securities:
Pooled funds (e)			2,901			—			2,901			—
Debt securities:
Pooled funds (f)			1,687			—			1,687			—
Commodities			200			—			200			—
Total			6,737			1,949			4,788			—
(d)	Cash equivalents were primarily in short-term investment funds, which consisted of short-term money market instruments that were valued using quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
(e)	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of foreign equities.
(f)	These funds invested in international bonds.
Cash flows:
Advantest expects to contribute ¥1,422 million and ¥48 million to its Japanese defined benefit plans and Non-Japanese benefit plans during the year ending March 31, 2015.
Estimated future benefit payments:
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are estimated as follows:
Year ending March 31		Yen (Millions)
		Japanese			Non-Japanese
		plans			plans
2015		¥	788			138
2016			915			118
2017			1,011			250
2018			1,153			173
2019			1,335			215
2020 through 2024			9,045			2,934

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity	'
	(17) Stockholders’ Equity
	Changes in the number of shares issued and treasury stock during the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Total shares of		Shares of
		common stock		treasury stock
	Number of shares as of April 1, 2011		199,566,770		26,294,819
	Purchase of shares		—		899
	Sale of shares		—		(328	)
	Number of shares as of March 31, 2012		199,566,770		26,295,390
	Purchase of shares		—		671
	Exercise of stock options		—		(522,297	)
	Sale of shares		—		(76	)
	Number of shares as of March 31, 2013		199,566,770		25,773,688
	Purchase of shares		—		1,458
	Exercise of stock options		—		(406,318	)
	Sale of shares		—		—
	Number of shares as of March 31, 2014		199,566,770		25,368,828
	The Companies Act of Japan provides that an amount equal to 10% of distributions paid by the Company shall be appropriated as additional paid-in capital or a legal reserve until the total amount of the additional paid-in capital and the legal reserve equals to 25% of common stock. Certain foreign subsidiaries are also required to appropriate their earnings to legal reserves under the laws of the respective countries.
	Cash dividends for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 represent dividends paid out during those years. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any provision for a dividend of ¥5 per share, aggregating ¥871 million for the second-half of the year ended March 31, 2014, subsequently proposed by the Board of Directors.
	The amount available for future payment of dividends was determined under the Companies Act of Japan and amounted to ¥29,349 million at March 31, 2014.

Accrued_Warranty_Expenses

Accrued Warranty Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accrued Warranty Expenses	'
	(18) Accrued Warranty Expenses
	Advantest issues contractual product warranties under which it generally guarantees the performance of products delivered and services rendered for a certain period. Changes in accrued warranty expenses for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were summarized as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	1,754			2,129			1,889
	Acquisition of Verigy		209			—			—
	Addition		3,432			3,172			2,319
	Reduction		(3,269	)		(3,474	)		(2,667	)
	Translation adjustments		3			62			48
	Balance at end of year	¥	2,129			1,889			1,589

Operating_Segment_and_Geograph

Operating Segment and Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating Segment and Geographic Information	'
	(19) Operating Segment and Geographic Information
	Advantest manufactures and sells semiconductor and component test system products and mechatronics-related products such as test handlers and device interfaces. Advantest also engages in research and development activities and provides maintenance and support services associated with these products. Advantest’s organizational structure consists of three reportable operating segments, which are the design, manufacturing, and sale of semiconductor and component test systems, mechatronics systems and services, support and others. These reportable operating segments are determined based on the nature of the products and the markets. Segment information is prepared on the same basis that Advantest’s management reviews financial information for operational decision making purposes.
	The semiconductor and component test system segment provides customers with test system products for the semiconductor industry and the electronic parts industry. Product lines provided in the semiconductor and component test system segment include test systems for memory semiconductors for memory semiconductor devices and test systems for SoC semiconductors for non memory semiconductor devices.
	The mechatronics system segment provides product lines such as test handlers, mechatronic-applied products, for handling semiconductor devices, device interfaces that serve as interfaces with the devices that are measured and operations related to nano-technology products.
	The services, support and others segment consists of comprehensive customer solutions provided in connection with the above segments, support services, equipment lease business and others.
	Fundamental research and development activities and headquarters functions are represented by Corporate.
	Reportable operating segment information during the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		Semiconductor			Mechatronics			Services,		Elimination			Total
		and Component			System			Support		and
		Test System			Business			and Others		Corporate
		Business
	As of and for the year ended March 31, 2012:
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers	¥	101,831			20,410			18,807		—			141,048
	Inter-segment sales		3,777			206			—		(3,983	)		—
	Net sales		105,608			20,616			18,807		(3,983	)		141,048
	Depreciation and amortization		2,658			627			3,070		483			6,838
	Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses		9,845			(1,324	)		1,614		(8,715	)		1,420
	Adjustment:
	Stock based compensation expense													583
	Operating income													837
	Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets		2,398			750			3,492		344			6,984
	Total assets		93,603			12,789			30,713		82,121			219,226
	As of and for the year ended March 31, 2013:
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers	¥	99,719			13,107			20,077		—			132,903
	Inter-segment sales		1,400			546			—		(1,946	)		—
	Net sales		101,119			13,653			20,077		(1,946	)		132,903
	Depreciation and amortization		3,423			486			3,690		464			8,063
	Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses		10,956			(4,614	)		775		(6,176	)		941
	Adjustment:
	Stock based compensation expense													861
	Operating income													80
	Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets		3,530			4,565			4,356		141			12,592
	Total assets		99,168			18,242			36,065		72,040			225,515
	As of and for the year ended March 31, 2014:
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers	¥	72,760			14,967			24,151		—			111,878
	Inter-segment sales		257			17			—		(274	)		—
	Net sales		73,017			14,984			24,151		(274	)		111,878
	Impairment charge		12,770			725			—		—			13,495
	Depreciation and amortization		3,711			411			3,716		430			8,268
	Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses		(26,724	)		(5,063	)		3,012		(6,311	)		(35,086	)
	Adjustment:
	Stock based compensation expense													1,283
	Operating income (loss)													(36,369	)
	Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets		2,099			1,562			1,826		139			5,626
	Total assets		80,564			19,423			38,046		91,823			229,856
	Adjustments to operating income (loss) in Corporate principally represent corporate general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses related to fundamental research activities that are not allocated to operating segments.
	Advantest uses the operating income (loss) before stock based compensation expenses for management’s analysis of business segment results.
	Additions to long-lived assets included in Corporate consist of purchases of software and fixed assets for general corporate use.
	Total assets included in Corporate consist of cash and cash equivalents, assets for general corporate use and assets used for fundamental research activities, which are not allocated to reportable segments.
	One customer and its related entities mainly in the semiconductor and component test system segment and the mechatronics system segment accounted for approximately 12%, 6% and 15% of total consolidated net sales for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Another customer accounted for approximately 29%, 14% and 4% for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Information as to Advantest’s net sales and property, plant and equipment in various geographical areas was as follows:
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Japan		16,095			14,045			12,221
	Americas		29,742			20,583			10,720
	Europe		7,015			9,061			7,276
	Asia		88,196			89,214			81,661
	Total		141,048			132,903			111,878
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers are based on the customer’s location. Net sales indicated as Asia were generated in Taiwan, Korea and China and others in the amount of ¥27,591 million, ¥29,687 million and ¥30,918 million for the year ended March 31, 2012, ¥35,826 million, ¥31,777 million and ¥21,611 million for the year ended March 31, 2013, and ¥33,347 million, ¥30,994 million and ¥17,320 million for the year ended March 31, 2014, respectively. Substantially all net sales indicated as Americas were generated in the United States of America.
	Property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
	2012			2013			2014
Japan	¥	28,234			27,336			24,799
Americas		1,073			2,693			2,417
Europe		1,582			2,106			2,435
Asia		3,317			9,233			10,274
Total	¥	34,206			41,368			39,925
Property, plant and equipment are those assets located in each geographic area.
Substantially all property, plant and equipment indicated as Americas were located in the United States of America. Substantially all property, plant and equipment indicated as Europe were located in Germany. Property, plant and equipment in Asia were primarily located in Korea, Taiwan, China and Singapore.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions	'
	(20) Related Party Transactions
	Advantest sells products to and purchases raw materials from Fujitsu Limited, its 11.6% stockholder as of March 31, 2014 and its group companies (collectively, “Fujitsu”). The terms of sales are the same as those with third parties. Advantest purchases raw materials after receiving competitive bids from several suppliers. Advantest also purchases various software products for internal use, information system related services, research and development materials and services from Fujitsu. Advantest had the following transactions with Fujitsu as of and for the years ended March 31:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012		2013		2014
	Sales of products	¥	1,847		1,128		802
	Purchases of raw materials		6,155		3,757		2,800
	Receivables		459		338		114
	Payables		2,653		1,255		1,336
	Purchases of software, hardware and others		95		66		282
	Research and development expenses, computer rentals, maintenance and other expenses		1,976		1,634		1,551

Per_Share_Data

Per Share Data	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Per Share Data	'
	(21) Per Share Data
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share as of March 31:
		Yen (Millions) except per share data
		2012			2013			2014
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	¥	(2,195	)		(3,821	)		(35,540	)
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		173,271,717			173,478,054			174,134,457
	Dilutive effect of exercise of stock options		—			—			—
	Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		173,271,717			173,478,054			174,134,457
	Basic net income (loss) per share	¥	(12.67	)		(22.03	)		(204.10	)
	Diluted net income (loss) per share		(12.67	)		(22.03	)		(204.10	)
	At March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, Advantest had outstanding stock options convertible into 4,888,206, 5,704,699 and 7,094,339 shares of common stock, respectively, which were anti-dilutive and excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share but could potentially dilute net income per share in future periods. The zero coupon convertible bonds issued in March 2014 were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 because the effect was anti-dilutive due to the loss for the year ended March 31, 2014.

Concentrations_of_credit_risk

Concentrations of credit risk	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Concentrations of credit risk	'
	(22) Concentrations of credit risk
	Advantest is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by financial institutions to cash and cash equivalents, but such risk is considered mitigated by the high credit rating of the financial institutions.
	At March 31, 2013 and 2014, Advantest had one foreign semiconductor customer with significant receivables. Receivables from these customers accounted for 16% and 14% of consolidated trade receivables at March 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Although Advantest does not expect that these customers will fail to meet their obligations, Advantest is potentially exposed to concentrations of credit risk if these customers failed to perform according to the terms of the contracts.

Commitments_and_Contingent_Lia

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	'
	(23) Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
	Advantest is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on Advantest’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	Outstanding commitments for the purchase of property, plant and equipment totaled ¥21 million and for the purchase of parts and raw materials totaled ¥5,174 million at March 31, 2014.
	Advantest maintains a commitment line agreement with a number of banks and pays commitment fees as consideration in order to secure a financing source for business operations. The commitment agreement term ends in March 2015, and the unused availability under this agreement as of March 31, 2014 amounted to ¥10,000 million.

Description_of_Business_and_Su1

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Description of Business	'
	(a) Description of Business
	The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “Advantest”) manufacture and sell semiconductor and component test system products and mechatronics-related products such as test handlers and device interfaces. Advantest also engages in research and development activities and provides maintenance and support services associated with these products.
	Description of the business by segment is as follows:
	The semiconductor and component test system segment provides customers with test system products for the semiconductor industry and the electronic parts industry. Product lines provided in the semiconductor and component test system segment include test systems for memory semiconductors for memory semiconductor devices and test systems for SoC (“System-on-a-Chip”) semiconductors for non memory semiconductor devices.
	The mechatronics system segment provides product lines such as test handlers, mechatronic-applied products for handling semiconductor devices, device interfaces that serve as interfaces with the devices that are measured and operations related to nano-technology products.
	The services, support and others segment consists of comprehensive customer solutions provided in connection with the above segments, support services, equipment lease business and others.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	(b) Principles of Consolidation
	Advantest’s consolidated financial statements include financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. Investment in an affiliated company over which Advantest has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not hold a controlling financial interest, is accounted for by the equity method. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash Equivalents	'
	(c) Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents consist of deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase. Advantest considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	(d) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Advantest recognizes an allowance for doubtful accounts to ensure that trade receivables are not overstated due to uncollectability, which represents Advantest’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in Advantest’s existing trade receivables. An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided at an amount calculated based on historical write off experience and a specific allowance for estimated amounts considered to be uncollectable after reviewing individual factors such as the customer’s current financial position, significant changes in the semiconductor industry, other information that is publicly available and the customer’s credit worthiness.
Inventories	'
	(e) Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the average cost method.
Investment Securities	'
	(f) Investment Securities
	Investment securities consist of marketable and non-marketable equity securities. Fair value is determined based on quoted market prices, projected discounted cash flow or other valuation techniques as appropriate.
	Marketable Equity Securities
	Advantest classifies its marketable equity securities as available-for-sale.
	Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until realized. A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed to be other than temporary results in an impairment loss. The impairment loss is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.
	On a periodic basis, Advantest evaluates the available-for-sale securities for possible impairment. Factors considered in assessing whether an indication of other than temporary impairment exists include: the degree of change in ratio of market prices per share to book value per share at the date of evaluation compared to the acquisition date, the financial condition and prospects of each investee company, industry conditions in which the investee company operates, the period of time the fair value of an available-for-sale security has been below the cost basis of the investment and other relevant factors. Advantest generally has the intention and ability to retain available-for-sale securities which it determines that their impairment is not other than temporary for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. The impairment to be recognized is measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the investment exceeds the fair value of the investment.
	The cost of a security sold or the amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings is determined by the average cost method.
	Non-marketable Equity Securities
	Non-marketable equity securities are carried at cost. On a periodic basis, Advantest evaluates these investments for possible impairment. Non-marketable equity securities that have impairment indicators were evaluated to determine whether the investments were impaired and the impairment, if any, is other than temporary. If the impairment is other than temporary, Advantest recognizes an impairment loss to reduce the carrying amount to the fair value and a new cost basis for the security is established.
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	(g) Derivative Financial Instruments
	All derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets are stated at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (that are, gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on the objective for holding such instrument and whether it meets the criteria for designation as a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge. If certain conditions are met, entities may elect to designate a derivative instrument as a hedge of exposures to changes in fair values, cash flows, or foreign currencies.
	If the hedged exposure is a fair value exposure, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings in the period of change together with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. If the hedged exposure is a cash flow exposure, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness as well as the ineffective portion of the gain or loss are reported in earnings immediately. If the derivative instrument is not designated as a hedge, the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	(h) Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
	Depreciation is computed principally using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of the assets.
	The depreciation period for major assets ranges from 15 years to 50 years for buildings, 4 years to 10 years for machinery and equipment, and 2 years to 5 years for tools, furniture and fixtures.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	(i) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment.
	Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. Advantest allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, including intangible assets that can be identified. The purchase price in excess of the fair value of the net assets is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred.
	Intangible assets consist of customer relationships and other intangible assets. Advantest has estimated the weighted average amortization period for the customer relationships relating to services to be 7 years. The weighted average amortization period for all intangible assets is approximately 6 years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	'
	(j) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Advantest reviews impairment of long-lived assets including identifiable intangibles with definite useful lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In such circumstances, if the carrying value of the asset is less than the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group, Advantest recognizes an impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value.
Accrued Warranty Expenses	'
	(k) Accrued Warranty Expenses
	Advantest’s products are generally subject to warranty, and Advantest provides an allowance for such estimated costs when product revenue is recognized. To provide for future repairs during warranty periods, estimated repair expenses over the warranty period are accrued based on the historical ratio of actual repair expenses to corresponding sales, and any facts and circumstances that occurred.
Convertible Bonds	'
	(l) Convertible Bonds
	Advantest is not required to bifurcate any of the embedded features contained in the ¥30,000 million zero coupon convertible bonds due 2019 (bonds with stock acquisition rights), which was issued in March 2014, for accounting purposes.
Accrued Pension and Severance Costs	'
	(m) Accrued Pension and Severance Costs
	The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have retirement and severance defined benefit plans covering substantially all of their employees. Prior service benefit and cost, and actuarial gains and losses are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining service period of active employees. The funded status, which is the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations, of pension plans is recognized in the consolidated balance sheet, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) represents the unrecognized actuarial loss and unrecognized prior service cost. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic benefit cost pursuant to Advantest’s accounting policy for amortizing such amounts.
Revenue Recognition	'
	(n) Revenue Recognition
	General
	Advantest recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred or the services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured.
	Sales of Products
	Sales of products which require installation are recognized when the related installation is completed and other sales recognition criteria are met since the installation is essential to the functionality of the equipment. When customer acceptance is uncertain, revenue is deferred until customer acceptance has been received. When the final payment is subject to customer acceptance, a portion of revenue for the final payment is deferred until an enforceable claim has become effective.
	Sales of products and components which do not require installation service by Advantest is recognized upon shipment if the terms of the sale are free on board (FOB) shipping point or upon delivery if the terms are FOB destination which coincide with the passage of title and risk of loss.
	Long-term Service Contracts
	Revenue from fixed-price, long-term service contracts is recognized on the straight-line basis over the contract term.
	Leasing Income
	Revenue from operating leases is primarily recognized on the straight-line basis over the lease term.
	Multiple Deliverables
	Advantest’s revenue recognition policies provide that, when a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, such as hardware and software products and services, Advantest allocates revenue to each element based on a selling price hierarchy and recognizes revenue when the criteria for revenue recognition have been met for each element. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), if available, third party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.
Shipping and Handling Costs	'
	(o) Shipping and Handling Costs
	Shipping and handling costs totaled ¥1,409 million, ¥1,564 million and ¥1,591 million for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Research and Development Expenses	'
	(p) Research and Development Expenses
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Advertising Costs	'
	(q) Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs totaled ¥178 million, ¥497 million and ¥341 million for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and are expensed as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	(r) Stock-Based Compensation
	Advantest applies the fair-valued-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation and recognizes stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the stock options granted to employees. The cost is recognized on the straight line basis over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The Black Scholes pricing model is used to estimate the value of stock options.
	Expected dividend yield is determined by the Company’s dividend ratio of the past and other associated factors. Risk free interest rate is determined by Japanese government bond yield for the period corresponding to expected life. Expected volatility is determined by historical volatility and trend of the Company’s share prices, and other associated factors. Expected life is determined by the Company’s option exercise history, post vesting employment termination behavior for similar grants, and other pertinent factors.
Income Taxes	'
	(s) Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Advantest records a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
	Advantest establishes reserves for uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not, based on technical merits, that the tax positions will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Benefits from tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Advantest recognizes interest and penalty accruals related to unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations.
Net Income (Loss) per Share	'
	(t) Net Income (Loss) per Share
	Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income per share reflects the maximum possible dilution from conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities. All potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation in a situation where there is a net loss attributable to Advantest’s stockholders.
Foreign Financial Statements	'
	(u) Foreign Financial Statements
	The financial statements of foreign operations whose functional currency is a local currency are translated into Japanese Yen. Assets and liabilities are translated at the period-end exchange rates and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are shown as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).
	The financial statements of foreign operations whose functional currency is Japanese Yen are remeasured into Japanese Yen. All exchange gains and losses from remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in the local currency are included in other income (expense) for the period in which the remeasurement is made.
Foreign Currency Transactions	'
	(v) Foreign Currency Transactions
	Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated by using the applicable current rate prevailing at that date. All revenue and expenses associated with foreign currencies are translated by using the rate of exchange prevailing when such transactions occur. Those gains (losses) are included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	Foreign exchange gains (losses) were (¥2,319) million, (¥1,427) million and (¥655) million for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Use of Estimates	'
	(w) Use of Estimates
	Management of Advantest has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include valuation of trade receivables, inventories, goodwill, long-lived assets and deferred tax assets, various accruals such as accrued warranty expenses, and assets and obligations related to employees retirement and severance plans. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Standards	'
	(x) New Accounting Standards
	In July 2012, the FASB amended the accounting guidance to simplify how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment which improve consistency in impairment testing requirements among long-lived asset categories. The guidance permits an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. For assets in which this assessment concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than its carrying value, the guidance eliminates the requirement to perform quantitative impairment testing as outlined in the previously issued standards. The guidance was adopted by Advantest in the first quarter beginning April 1, 2013. The adoption of the guidance did not have a significant impact on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	In February 2013, the FASB finalized the accounting guidance for reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This new guidance requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. The guidance was adopted by Advantest in the first quarter beginning April 1, 2013. The adoption of the guidance did not have a significant impact on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued the accounting guidance for revenue from contracts with customers. This guidance supersedes virtually all existing revenue recognition requirements under U.S. GAAP and requires an entity to apply the five steps to recognize revenue from contracts with customers unless the contracts are in the scope of other U.S. GAAP requirements. Additionally, an entity should disclose quantitatively and qualitatively sufficient information including contract with customers, significant judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The entity should apply the amendments in this guidance using one of the following two methods; retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this guidance recognized at the date of the initial application. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The guidance is required to be adopted by Advantest in the first quarter beginning April 1, 2017. Advantest is currently evaluating the effect that this adoption will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Reclassifications	'
	(y) Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

Trade_Receivables_Tables

Trade Receivables (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trade Receivables	'
	Trade receivables at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Notes	¥	2,570		1,448
	Accounts		24,437		19,084
			27,007		20,532
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts		54		128
		¥	26,953		20,404

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account1

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012		2013			2014
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	67		75			54
	Provision for (reversal of) allowance		8		(13	)		74
	Amounts written off		—		(8	)		0
	Balance at end of year	¥	75		54			128

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Inventories	'
	Inventories at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were composed of the following:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Finished goods	¥	6,485		6,509
	Work in process		11,378		11,467
	Raw materials and supplies		13,986		12,224
		¥	31,849		30,200

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were composed of the following:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Land	¥	14,557		14,822
	Buildings		26,213		31,304
	Machinery and equipment		24,071		22,088
	Tools, furniture and fixtures		16,191		15,444
	Construction in progress		4,205		1,099
			85,237		84,757
	Less accumulated depreciation		43,869		44,832
		¥	41,368		39,925

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Components of Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill	'
	The components of intangible assets excluding goodwill at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013				2014
		Gross carrying		Accumulated		Gross carrying		Accumulated
		amount		amortization		amount		amortization
	Intangible assets subject to amortization:
	Software	¥	2,306		1,624	¥	1,623		852
	Customer relationships		2,549		573		1,184		482
	Patented technologies		4,995		1,037		—		—
	Developed technologies		7,524		1,652		—		—
	Other		2,005		473		640		336
			19,379		5,359		3,447		1,670
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	In-process technologies		1,589		—		1,544		—
	Other		224		—		224		—
			1,813		—		1,768		—
	Intangible assets:
	Balance at end of year	¥	21,192		5,359	¥	5,215		1,670
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013
		Semiconductor		Mechatronics		Services,		Total
		and Component		System		Support
		Test System		Business		and Others
		Business
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	21,911		—		14,585		36,496
	Translation adjustments		3,069		—		2,105		5,174
	Balance at end of year		24,980		—		16,690		41,670
		Yen (Millions)
		2014
		Semiconductor		Mechatronics		Services,		Total
		and Component		System		Support and
		Test System		Business		Others
		Business
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	24,980		—		16,690		41,670
	Acquisition of subsidiary		—		—		1,252		1,252
	Translation adjustments		2,295		—		1,629		3,924
	Balance at end of year		27,275		—		19,571		46,846

Investment_Securities_Tables

Investment Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Acquisition Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	The acquisition cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013
		Acquisition		Gross		Gross		Fair
		cost		unrealized		unrealized		value
				gains		losses
	Noncurrent:
	Available-for-sale:
	Equity securities	¥	3,079		2,377		1		5,455
		Yen (Millions)
		2014
		Acquisition		Gross		Gross		Fair
		cost		unrealized		unrealized		value
				gains		losses
	Noncurrent:
	Available-for-sale:
	Equity securities	¥	2,055		1,244		27		3,272
Schedule of Individual Securities Have Been in Continuous Unrealized Loss Position	'
	Gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2013 and 2014, were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013
		Less than 12 months				12 months or longer
		Fair		Gross		Fair		Gross
		value		unrealized		value		unrealized
				losses				losses
	Noncurrent:
	Available-for-sale:
	Equity securities	¥	—		—		5		1
		Yen (Millions)
		2014
		Less than 12 months				12 months or longer
		Fair		Gross		Fair		Gross
		value		unrealized		value		unrealized
				losses				losses
	Noncurrent:
	Available-for-sale:
	Equity securities	¥	289		27		—		—

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables) (Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	'
Fair Value of Derivative Contracts	'
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
		Yen (Millions)
		March 31, 2013			March 31, 2014
		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
	Assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	¥	16	Other current assets			—
	Liabilities
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current liabilities	¥	0	Other current liabilities			—
Effect of Derivative Instrument on Consolidated Statements of Operations	'
	The effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Location of gain (loss) recognized	Yen (Millions)
		in income on derivatives	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in
			income on derivatives
			2012		2013				2014
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other income (expense)	¥	630		-96				96

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments	'
	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of Advantest’s financial instruments at March 31, 2013 and 2014. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
		Yen (Millions)
		2013				2014
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		amount		value		amount		value
	Financial assets:
	Investment securities
	Available-for-sale securities	¥	5,455		5,455	¥	3,272		3,272
	Foreign exchange contracts		16		16		—		—
	Financial liabilities:
	Foreign exchange contracts		0		0		—		—
	Corporate bonds		25,000		25,026		25,000		24,975
	Convertible bonds		—		—		30,149		31,518
Carrying Amount of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis by Level	'
	As of March 31, 2013 and 2014, carrying amount of assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level was as follows:
				Yen (Millions)
				Fair Value Measurements at
				March 31, 2013
				Quoted		Significant		Significant
				Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets		Inputs
		Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale equity securities	¥	5,455		5,455		—		—
	Foreign exchange contracts		16		—		16		—
	Total assets measured at fair value		5,471		5,455		16		—
	Liabilities
	Foreign exchange contracts		0		—		0		—
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	¥	0		—		0		—
				Yen (Millions)
				Fair Value Measurements at
				March 31, 2014
		Total		Quoted		Significant		Significant
				Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale equity securities	¥	3,272		3,272		—		—
	Total assets measured at fair value		3,272		3,272		—		—
Carrying Amount of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis by Level	'
	As of March 31, 2013 and 2014, carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, which were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by level during the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014, were as follows:
				Yen (Millions)
				Fair Value Measurements at						Total gains
				March 31, 2013						(losses) for
										the year
										ended
										March 31,
		Total		Quoted		Significant		Significant		2013
				Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level1)		(Level 2)
	Assets
	Non-marketable equity securities	¥	8		—		—		8		(12	)
	Assets held for sale		1,337		—		—		1,337		(134	)
	Total assets measured at fair value		1,345		—		—		1,345
	Total gains (losses) for assets held as of March 31, 2013										(146	)
				Yen (Millions)
				Fair Value Measurements at						Total gains
				March 31, 2014						(losses) for
										the year
										ended
										March 31,
		Total		Quoted		Significant		Significant		2014
				Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets
	Property, plant and equipment	¥	—		—		—		—		(1,596	)
	Intangible assets		—		—		—		—		(11,899	)
	Total assets measured at fair value		—		—		—		—
	Total gains (losses) for assets held as of March 31, 2014										(13,495	)

LeasesLessor_Tables

Leases-Lessor (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Gross Amount of Machinery and Equipment and Related accumulated Depreciation Under Operating Leases	'
	The gross amount of machinery and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation under operating leases as of March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Machinery and equipment	¥	9,419		8,354
	Less accumulated depreciation		5,840		6,661
		¥	3,579		1,693
Future Minimum Lease Income Under Noncancelable Operating Leases	'
	Future minimum lease income under noncancelable operating leases as of March 31, 2014 is as follows:
	Year ending March 31	Yen (Millions)
	2015	¥	664
	2016		154
	2017		—
	2018		—
	2019		—
	Thereafter		—
	Total minimum lease income	¥	818

LeasesLessee_Tables

Leases-Lessee (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments	'
	Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of March 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Year ending March 31	Yen (Millions)
	2015	¥	834
	2016		721
	2017		365
	2018		332
	2019		272
	Thereafter		844
			3,368
	Less sublease income to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases		585
	Net minimum lease payments	¥	2,783

Corporate_Bonds_and_Convertibl1

Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Carrying Values of Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds	'
	The carrying values of corporate bonds and convertible bonds at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2013		2014
	Unsecured 0.416% bonds, due May 25, 2015	¥	10,000		10,000
	Unsecured 0.606% bonds, due May 25, 2017	¥	15,000		15,000
	Corporate bonds	¥	25,000		25,000
	Unsecured zero coupon convertible bonds, due March 14, 2019	¥	—		30,000
	Add unamortized premium	¥	—		149
	Convertible bonds	¥	—		30,149
Aggregate Amounts of Maturities for Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds	'
	The combined aggregate amounts of maturities for corporate bonds and convertible bonds as of March 31, 2014, by year payable, were as follows:
	Year ending March 31	Yen (Millions)
	2015	¥	—
	2016		10,000
	2017		—
	2018		15,000
	2019		30,000
	Thereafter		—
	Total	¥	55,000

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Components of Income Before Income Taxes and Equity	'
	The components of income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company and provision (benefit) for income taxes as shown in the consolidated statements of operations were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company:
	The Company and domestic subsidiaries	¥	(2,775	)		(16,721	)		(29,581	)
	Foreign subsidiaries		(667	)		15,428			(5,920	)
		¥	(3,442	)		(1,293	)		(35,501	)
Components of Provision (Benefit)	'
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
	Current:
	The Company and domestic subsidiaries	¥	555			411			248
	Foreign subsidiaries		1,841			1,243			2,027
	Deferred:
	The Company and domestic subsidiaries		(1,513	)		(272	)		545
	Foreign subsidiaries		(2,123	)		1,111			(2,759	)
		¥	(1,240	)		2,493			61
Reconciliation of Statutory and Effective Income Tax Rate	'
	A reconciliation of the Japanese statutory income tax rate and the effective income tax rate as a percentage of income before income taxes was as follows:
		2012			2013			2014
	Statutory rates for expense (benefit)		(40.4	)%		(37.8	)%		(37.7	)%
	Effects on income taxes resulting from:
	Earnings of foreign subsidiaries taxed at different rates from the statutory rate in Japan		12.3			(319.8	)		8.6
	Tax credits		(60.9	)		(176.5	)		15.8
	Expenses not deductible for tax purposes		4.3			11.3			0.5
	Expiration of stock options		9.5			16.6			0.1
	Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries		(20.0	)		(6.0	)		0.2
	Change in valuation allowance		(92.1	)		704.3			10.5
	Effect of enacted changes in tax laws and rates on Japanese tax		149.9			—			3.7
	Other, net		1.4			0.7			(1.5	)
			(36.0	)%		192.8	%		0.2	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were presented below.
		Yen (Millions)
		2013			2014
	Deferred tax assets:
	Inventories	¥	3,327			3,708
	Accrued warranty expenses		614			474
	Accrued pension and severance costs		9,212			9,455
	Accrued expenses		1,358			1,001
	Research and development expenses capitalized for tax purposes		2,470			2,381
	Operating loss carryforwards		38,912			49,097
	Property, plant and equipment		3,340			3,614
	Tax credits		8,122			2,368
	Other		2,059			1,924
	Total gross deferred tax assets		69,414			74,022
	Less valuation allowance		(59,072	)		(62,834	)
	Net deferred tax assets		10,342			11,188
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets		(2,558	)		(567	)
	Net unrealized gains on marketable securities		(805	)		(316	)
	Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries		(689	)		(769	)
	Other		(43	)		(157	)
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities		(4,095	)		(1,809	)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	¥	6,247			9,379
Schedule of Changes in Valuation Allowance	'
	The changes in valuation allowance for the years ended March 31 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	52,082			50,188			59,072
	Additions		—			8,884			3,762
	Reductions		1,894			—			—
	Balance at end of year	¥	50,188			59,072			62,834
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	Unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	—			1,484			1,418
	Acquisition of verigy		1,671			—			—
	Increase for tax positions of previous years		148			84			84
	Increase for tax positions of current year		57			0			0
	Settlements		(47	)		(58	)		0
	Lapse of the applicable statute of limitations		(341	)		(248	)		(274	)
	Translation adjustments		(4	)		156			124
	Balance at end of year		1,484			1,418			1,352

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Los1

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The accumulated balances for each classification of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			Foreign			Net unrealized			Pension			Net unrealized			Accumulated
			currency			gains (losses)			related			gains (losses)			other
			translation			on investment			adjustment			on derivative			comprehensive
			adjustments			securities						instruments			income (loss)
	Balance at March 31, 2011		¥	(14,738	)		773			(4,305	)		—			(18,270	)
	Change during the year			864			(216	)		(6,565	)		(55	)		(5,972	)
	Reclassification adjustments			558			818			237			55			1,668
				1,422			602			(6,328	)		—			(4,304	)
	Balance at March 31, 2012		¥	(13,316	)		1,375			(10,633	)		—			(22,574	)
	Change during the year			17,250			165			(2,251	)		—			15,164
	Reclassification adjustments			—			9			472			—			481
				17,250			174			(1,779	)		—			15,645
	Balance at March 31, 2013		¥	3,934			1,549			(12,412	)		—			(6,929	)
	Change during the year			12,555			260			(603	)		—			12,212
	Reclassification adjustments			—			(902	)		945			—			43
				12,555			(642	)		342			—			12,255
	Balance at March 31, 2014		¥	16,489			907			(12,070	)		—			5,326
Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			Before-tax			Tax (expense)			Net-of-tax
			amount			or benefit			amount
	Year ended March 31, 2012:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		¥	1,422			—			1,422
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
	Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year			(509	)		293			(216	)
	Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) realized in earnings			1,267			(449	)		818
	Net unrealized gains (losses)			758			(156	)		602
	Pension related adjustment			(7,191	)		863			(6,328	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		¥	(5,011	)		707			(4,304	)
	Year ended March 31, 2013:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		¥	17,250			—			17,250
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
	Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year			321			(156	)		165
	Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) realized in earnings			(1	)		10			9
	Net unrealized gains (losses)			320			(146	)		174
	Pension related adjustment			(1,908	)		129			(1,779	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		¥	15,662			(17	)		15,645
	Year ended March 31, 2014:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		¥	12,555			—			12,555
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
	Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year			361			(101	)		260
	Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) realized in earnings			(1,396	)		494			(902	)
	Net unrealized gains (losses)			(1,035	)		393			(642	)
	Pension related adjustment			165			177			342
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		¥	11,685			570			12,255
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended March 31, 2014 was as follow:
			Yen (Millions)
			Year ended March 31, 2014
			Amount reclassified			Affected line items in consolidated
			from accumulated other			statements of income
			comprehensive income
			(loss) *(1)
	Unrealized gains and losses on investment securities			¥ (1,396	)	Other income (expense): Other, net
				494		Income taxes
				(902	)	Net income (loss)
	Pension liability adjustments
	Amortization of actuarial loss			1,264		-2
	Amortization of prior service			(168	)	-2
	cost			(151	)	Income taxes
				945		Net income
	Total amount reclassified, net of tax			¥ 43
	-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate a gain in the consolidated statements of operations.
	-2	The accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see note 16 for additional details).

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Stock Option Activity	'
	Stock option activity during the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was as follows:
		2012					2013					2014
		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted
		shares			average		shares			average		shares			average
					exercise					exercise					exercise
					price					price					price
	Outstanding at beginning of year		1,948,000		¥	3,392		4,888,206		¥	1,616		5,704,699		¥	1,418
	Granted		4,033,046			1,399		2,521,000			1,207		2,763,000			1,669
	Exercised		—			—		(522,297	)		880		(406,318	)		1,237
	Expired		(595,840	)		5,302		(592,354	)		2,590		(669,605	)		2,056
	Forfeited		(497,000	)		2,396		(589,856	)		1,461		(297,437	)		2,090
	Outstanding at end of year		4,888,206			1,616		5,704,699			1,418		7,094,339			1,523
	Exercisable at end of year		3,585,206		¥	1,648		3,222,699		¥	1,580		4,442,339		¥	1,437
Schedule of Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share for Stock Options Granted	'
	These figures were calculated based on the Black Scholes option pricing model by using the following weighted average estimates:
		2012			2013		2014
	Expected dividend yield		0.40%			1.10%		1.10%
	Risk free interest rate		0.50%			0.10%		0.20%
	Volatility		49.30%			50.70%		44.70%
	Expected life		3.1 years			3.9 years		2.8 years
Schedule of Outstanding Stock Options	'
	At March 31, 2014, all of the outstanding stock options were as follows:
		Outstanding								Exercisable
	Exercise price	Number of			Weighted		Weighted			Number of		Weighted			Weighted
		options			average		average			options		average			average
					exercise		remaining					exercise			remaining
					price		contractual					price			contractual
							life								life
	¥897 - ¥1,668		3,767,889			1,327		2.6 years			3,767,889		1,327			2.6 years
	¥1,669 - ¥3,529		3,326,450			1,746		3.5 years			674,450		2,051			1.4 years
			7,094,339			1,523		3.0 years			4,442,339		1,437			2.4 years

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_1

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Information about Retirement and Severance Plans	'
	Information about the retirement and severance plans of Advantest for the years ended March 31 was as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2012						2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost		¥	1,355			227			1,487			345			1,735			377
	Interest cost			748			242			689			348			565			448
	Expected return on plan assets			(405	)		(237	)		(299	)		(267	)		(464	)		(331	)
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Net actuarial (gain) or loss			511			—			790			241			919			345
	Prior service (benefit) cost			(172	)		—			(168	)		—			(168	)		—
	Other			(18	)		—			—			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost		¥	2,019			232			2,499			667			2,587			839
Schedule of Benefit Obligation, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status of Plan	'
	The following table sets forth the plans’ benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, funded status at March 31, 2013 and 2014.
			Yen (Millions)
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Balance at beginning of year		¥	38,433			10,214			43,589			11,932
	Service cost			1,487			345			1,735			377
	Interest cost			689			348			565			448
	Actuarial (gain) or loss			3,645			420			1,451			724
	Plan amendment			—			34			—			—
	Plan participants’ contributions			—			16			—			126
	Benefits paid			(665	)		(548	)		(708	)		(90	)
	Translation adjustments			—			1,103			—			2,102
	Balance at end of year			43,589			11,932			46,632			15,619
	Change in plan assets:
	Balance at beginning of year			19,995			4,636			23,207			5,436
	Employer contributions			1,759			26			1,868			40
	Plan participants’ contributions			—			131			—			126
	Actual return or (loss) on plan assets			2,010			297			2,244			271
	Benefits paid			(557	)		(158	)		(534	)		(90	)
	Translation adjustments			—			504			—			954
	Balance at end of year			23,207			5,436			26,785			6,737
	Funded status		¥	(20,382	)		(6,496	)		(19,847	)		(8,882	)
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Accrued expenses		¥	(196	)		(107	)		(157	)		(57	)
	Accrued pension and severance costs			(20,186	)		(6,389	)		(19,690	)		(8,825	)
				(20,382	)		(6,496	)		(19,847	)		(8,882	)
Schedule of Pension Related Adjustments (Before Tax) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Pension related adjustments (before tax) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Actuarial loss		¥	(11,517	)		(3,522	)		(10,270	)		(4,436	)
	Prior service benefit			1,173			—			1,005			—
				(10,344	)		(3,522	)		(9,265	)		(4,436	)
Schedule of Changes in Pension Related Adjustments (Before Tax) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Changes in pension related adjustments (before tax) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 were summarized as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Current year actuarial gain (loss)		¥	(1,935	)		(403	)		328			(797	)
	Amortization of actuarial gain			790			241			919			345
	Current year prior service benefit			—			—			—			—
	Amortization of prior service benefit and other			(168	)		—			(168	)		—
	Translation adjustments			—			(433	)		—			(462	)
				(1,313	)		(595	)		1,079			(914	)
Schedule of Estimated Prior Service Cost and Actuarial Loss for Defined Benefit Pension Plans	'
	The estimated prior service cost and actuarial loss for the defined benefit pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost over the next year are summarized as follow:
			Yen (Millions)
			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			Plans			plans
	Actuarial loss		¥	898			392
	Prior service benefit			(168	)		—
				730			392
Schedule of Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets	'
	Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at March 31, 2013 and 2014 were summarized as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Projected benefit obligation		¥	43,589			11,932			46,632			15,619
	Accumulated benefit obligation			42,573			10,076			45,693			13,454
	Fair value of plan assets			23,207			5,436			26,785			6,737
Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations	'
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of March 31:
			2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Discount rate			1.3	%		3.5	%		1.3	%		3.4	%
	Rate of compensation increase			3	%		2.6	%		2.6	%		2.8	%
Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended March 31:
			2012						2013						2014
			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans			plans			plans			plans			plans
	Discount rate			2.2	%		4.8	%		1.8	%		3.7	%		1.3	%		3.5	%
	Expected return on plan assets			2	%		6.6	%		1.5	%		5.7	%		2	%		5.9	%
	Rate of compensation increase			3	%		2.8	%		3	%		2.8	%		3	%		2.6	%
Schedule of Weighted-Average Asset Allocation of Domestic Benefit Plans	'
	Japanese benefit plans’ weighted-average asset allocation at March 31, 2013 and 2014 by asset category were as follows:
			2013			2014			Target
	Equity securities			34.5	%		37.9	%		30	%
	Debt securities			30.1			26.2			35
	Cash			9.5			5.2			2
	Life insurance company general accounts			13			10.8			13
	Other			12.9			19.9			20
				100	%		100	%		100	%
	Non-Japanese benefit plans’ weighted-average asset allocation at March 31, 2013 and 2014 by asset category were as follows:
			2013			2014			Target
	Equity securities			42.8	%		43.1	%		43.5	%
	Debt securities			35.1			25			25.3
	Cash			18.2			28.9			28.2
	Other			3.9			3			3
				100	%		100	%		100	%
Schedule of Changes in Level 3 Plan Assets	'
	Changes in the Level 3 plan assets for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
			Yen (Millions)
			2013			2014
			Hedge funds			Hedge funds
	Balance at beginning of year		¥	1,137			1,013
	Net realized / unrealized gain (loss)			23			186
	Purchases, issuances and settlements			(147	)		978
	Transfer in and / or out of Level 3			—			—
	Balance at end of year		¥	1,013			2,177
Schedule of Estimated Future Benefit Payments	'
	The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are estimated as follows:
	Year ending March 31		Yen (Millions)
			Japanese			Non-Japanese
			plans			plans
	2015		¥	788			138
	2016			915			118
	2017			1,011			250
	2018			1,153			173
	2019			1,335			215
	2020 through 2024			9,045			2,934
Non-Japanese Plans	'
Schedule of Fair Value of Plan Assets Measured with Levels of Inputs	'
	Non-Japanese benefit plan asset allocation at March 31, 2013 and 2014 by asset level were as follows:
						Yen (Millions)
						Fair Value Measurements at
						March 31, 2013
			Total			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents (a)			992			992			—			—
	Equity securities:
	Pooled funds (b)			2,326			—			2,326			—
	Debt securities:
	Pooled funds (c)			1,910			—			1,910			—
	Commodities			208			—			208			—
	Total			5,436			992			4,444			—
	(a)	Cash equivalents were primarily in short-term investment funds, which consisted of short-term money market instruments that were valued using quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
	(b)	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of foreign equities.
	(c)	These funds invested in international bonds.
						Yen (Millions)
						Fair Value Measurements at
						March 31, 2014
			Total			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents (d)			1,949			1,949			—			—
	Equity securities:
	Pooled funds (e)			2,901			—			2,901			—
	Debt securities:
	Pooled funds (f)			1,687			—			1,687			—
	Commodities			200			—			200			—
	Total			6,737			1,949			4,788			—
	(d)	Cash equivalents were primarily in short-term investment funds, which consisted of short-term money market instruments that were valued using quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
	(e)	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of foreign equities.
	(f)	These funds invested in international bonds.
Japanese Plans	'
Schedule of Fair Value of Plan Assets Measured with Levels of Inputs	'
	Japanese benefit plans’ asset allocation at March 31, 2013 and 2014 by asset level were as follows:
						Yen (Millions)
						Fair Value Measurements at
						March 31, 2013
			Total			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents			2,202			2,202			—			—
	Equity securities:
	Japanese companies			1,379			1,379			—			—
	Pooled funds (a)			6,633			—			6,633			—
	Debt securities:
	Pooled funds (b)			6,975			—			6,975			—
	Hedge funds (c)			2,993			—			1,980			1,013
	Life insurance company general accounts			3,025			—			3,025			—
	Total			23,207			3,581			18,613			1,013
	(a)	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of approximately 60% Japanese listed companies and 40% foreign listed companies.
	(b)	These funds invested in approximately 80% Japanese government bonds, 15% Japanese corporate bonds, and 5% Japanese municipal bonds.
	(c)	These hedge funds invested in stock price index futures / options, bond futures / options, bonds and private equity funds and others.
						Yen (Millions)
						Fair Value Measurements at
						March 31, 2014
			Total			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents			1,400			1,400			—			—
	Equity securities:
	Japanese companies			937			937			—			—
	Pooled funds (d)			9,211			—			9,211			—
	Debt securities:
	Pooled funds (e)			7,025			—			7,025			—
	Hedge funds (f)			5,316			—			3,139			2,177
	Life insurance company general accounts			2,896			—			2,896			—
	Total			26,785			2,337			22,271			2,177
	(d)	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of approximately 55% Japanese listed companies and 45% foreign listed companies.
	(e)	These funds invested in approximately 80% Japanese government bonds, 15% Japanese corporate bonds, and 5% Japanese municipal bonds.
	(f)	These hedge funds invested in stock price index futures / options, bond futures / options, bonds and private equity funds and others.

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in Number of Shares Issued and Treasury Stock	'
	Changes in the number of shares issued and treasury stock during the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Total shares of		Shares of
		common stock		treasury stock
	Number of shares as of April 1, 2011		199,566,770		26,294,819
	Purchase of shares		—		899
	Sale of shares		—		(328	)
	Number of shares as of March 31, 2012		199,566,770		26,295,390
	Purchase of shares		—		671
	Exercise of stock options		—		(522,297	)
	Sale of shares		—		(76	)
	Number of shares as of March 31, 2013		199,566,770		25,773,688
	Purchase of shares		—		1,458
	Exercise of stock options		—		(406,318	)
	Sale of shares		—		—
	Number of shares as of March 31, 2014		199,566,770		25,368,828

Accrued_Warranty_Expenses_Tabl

Accrued Warranty Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Changes in Accrued Warranty Expenses	'
	Changes in accrued warranty expenses for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were summarized as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Balance at beginning of year	¥	1,754			2,129			1,889
	Acquisition of Verigy		209			—			—
	Addition		3,432			3,172			2,319
	Reduction		(3,269	)		(3,474	)		(2,667	)
	Translation adjustments		3			62			48
	Balance at end of year	¥	2,129			1,889			1,589

Operating_Segment_and_Geograph1

Operating Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Reportable Operating Segment Information	'
	Reportable operating segment information during the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		Semiconductor			Mechatronics			Services,		Elimination			Total
		and Component			System			Support		and
		Test System			Business			and Others		Corporate
		Business
	As of and for the year ended March 31, 2012:
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers	¥	101,831			20,410			18,807		—			141,048
	Inter-segment sales		3,777			206			—		(3,983	)		—
	Net sales		105,608			20,616			18,807		(3,983	)		141,048
	Depreciation and amortization		2,658			627			3,070		483			6,838
	Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses		9,845			(1,324	)		1,614		(8,715	)		1,420
	Adjustment:
	Stock based compensation expense													583
	Operating income													837
	Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets		2,398			750			3,492		344			6,984
	Total assets		93,603			12,789			30,713		82,121			219,226
	As of and for the year ended March 31, 2013:
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers	¥	99,719			13,107			20,077		—			132,903
	Inter-segment sales		1,400			546			—		(1,946	)		—
	Net sales		101,119			13,653			20,077		(1,946	)		132,903
	Depreciation and amortization		3,423			486			3,690		464			8,063
	Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses		10,956			(4,614	)		775		(6,176	)		941
	Adjustment:
	Stock based compensation expense													861
	Operating income													80
	Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets		3,530			4,565			4,356		141			12,592
	Total assets		99,168			18,242			36,065		72,040			225,515
	As of and for the year ended March 31, 2014:
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers	¥	72,760			14,967			24,151		—			111,878
	Inter-segment sales		257			17			—		(274	)		—
	Net sales		73,017			14,984			24,151		(274	)		111,878
	Impairment charge		12,770			725			—		—			13,495
	Depreciation and amortization		3,711			411			3,716		430			8,268
	Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses		(26,724	)		(5,063	)		3,012		(6,311	)		(35,086	)
	Adjustment:
	Stock based compensation expense													1,283
	Operating income (loss)													(36,369	)
	Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets		2,099			1,562			1,826		139			5,626
	Total assets		80,564			19,423			38,046		91,823			229,856
Schedule of Net Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	'
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Japan		16,095			14,045			12,221
	Americas		29,742			20,583			10,720
	Europe		7,015			9,061			7,276
	Asia		88,196			89,214			81,661
	Total		141,048			132,903			111,878
Schedule of Long-Lived Assets	'
	Property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012			2013			2014
	Japan	¥	28,234			27,336			24,799
	Americas		1,073			2,693			2,417
	Europe		1,582			2,106			2,435
	Asia		3,317			9,233			10,274
	Total	¥	34,206			41,368			39,925

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	'
	Advantest had the following transactions with Fujitsu as of and for the years ended March 31:
		Yen (Millions)
		2012		2013		2014
	Sales of products	¥	1,847		1,128		802
	Purchases of raw materials		6,155		3,757		2,800
	Receivables		459		338		114
	Payables		2,653		1,255		1,336
	Purchases of software, hardware and others		95		66		282
	Research and development expenses, computer rentals, maintenance and other expenses		1,976		1,634		1,551

Per_Share_Data_Tables

Per Share Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share as of March 31:
		Yen (Millions) except per share data
		2012			2013			2014
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	¥	(2,195	)		(3,821	)		(35,540	)
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		173,271,717			173,478,054			174,134,457
	Dilutive effect of exercise of stock options		—			—			—
	Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		173,271,717			173,478,054			174,134,457
	Basic net income (loss) per share	¥	(12.67	)		(22.03	)		(204.10	)
	Diluted net income (loss) per share		(12.67	)		(22.03	)		(204.10	)

Description_of_Business_and_Su2

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average amortization period for intangible assets, in years	'6 years	'	'
Long term debt, carrying amount	¥ 30,149	'	'
Shipping and handling costs	1,591	1,564	1,409
Advertising costs	341	497	178
Benefits from tax positions likelihood of being realized upon settlement, percentage	50.00%	'	'
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	-655	-1,427	-2,319
Convertible bonds	'	'	'
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long term debt, carrying amount	30,149	'	'
Unsecured zero coupon convertible bonds, due March 14, 2019 | Convertible bonds	'	'	'
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long term debt, carrying amount	¥ 30,000	'	'
Building | Minimum	'	'	'
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation period for assets, in years	'15 years	'	'
Building | Maximum	'	'	'
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation period for assets, in years	'50 years	'	'
Machinery and Equipment | Minimum	'	'	'
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation period for assets, in years	'4 years	'	'
Machinery and Equipment | Maximum	'	'	'
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation period for assets, in years	'10 years	'	'
Furniture and Fixtures | Minimum	'	'	'
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation period for assets, in years	'2 years	'	'
Furniture and Fixtures | Maximum	'	'	'
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation period for assets, in years	'5 years	'	'
Customer Relationships	'	'	'
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average amortization period for intangible assets, in years	'7 years	'	'

Trade_Receivables_Schedule_of_

Trade Receivables (Schedule of Trade Receivables) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Trade Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Notes	¥ 1,448	¥ 2,570	'	'
Accounts	19,084	24,437	'	'
Trade receivables, gross	20,532	27,007	'	'
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	128	54	75	67
Trade receivables, net	¥ 20,404	¥ 26,953	'	'

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account2

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	¥ 54	¥ 75	¥ 67
Provision for (reversal of) allowance	74	-13	8
Amounts written off	0	-8	'
Balance at end of year	¥ 128	¥ 54	¥ 75

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories (Schedule of Inventories) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]	'	'
Finished goods	¥ 6,509	¥ 6,485
Work in process	11,467	11,378
Raw materials and supplies	12,224	13,986
Inventories	¥ 30,200	¥ 31,849

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_S

Property, Plant And Equipment (Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Land	¥ 14,822	¥ 14,557	'
Buildings	31,304	26,213	'
Machinery and equipment	22,088	24,071	'
Tools, furniture and fixtures	15,444	16,191	'
Construction in progress	1,099	4,205	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	84,757	85,237	'
Less accumulated depreciation	44,832	43,869	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	¥ 39,925	¥ 41,368	¥ 34,206

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_A

Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	¥ 6,106	¥ 5,778	¥ 4,326
Cost of Sales and Impairment Charge	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impairment losses	1,596	'	'
Semiconductor And Component Test System Business	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impairment losses	1,099	'	'
Mechatronics System Business	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impairment losses	¥ 497	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Components of Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross carrying amount	¥ 3,447	¥ 19,379
Intangible assets not subject to amortization, Gross carrying amount	1,768	1,813
Intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	5,215	21,192
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated amortization	1,670	5,359
Software	'	'
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross carrying amount	1,623	2,306
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated amortization	852	1,624
Customer Relationships	'	'
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross carrying amount	1,184	2,549
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated amortization	482	573
Patented Technologies	'	'
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross carrying amount	'	4,995
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated amortization	'	1,037
Developed Technologies	'	'
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross carrying amount	'	7,524
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated amortization	'	1,652
Other Intangible Assets	'	'
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Gross carrying amount	640	2,005
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated amortization	336	473
In-Process Technologies	'	'
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets not subject to amortization, Gross carrying amount	1,544	1,589
Other Intangible Assets	'	'
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets not subject to amortization, Gross carrying amount	¥ 224	¥ 224

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	¥ 2,162	¥ 2,285	¥ 2,512
Estimated amortization expense in 2015	655	'	'
Estimated amortization expense in 2016	742	'	'
Estimated amortization expense in 2017	625	'	'
Estimated amortization expense in 2018	575	'	'
Estimated amortization expense in 2019	196	'	'
Cost of Sales and Impairment Charge	'	'	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impairment losses on intangible assets	11,899	'	'
Semiconductor And Component Test System Business	'	'	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impairment losses on intangible assets	11,671	'	'
Mechatronics System Business	'	'	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impairment losses on intangible assets	¥ 228	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	¥ 41,670	¥ 36,496
Acquisition of subsidiary	1,252	'
Translation adjustments	3,924	5,174
Balance at end of year	46,846	41,670
Semiconductor And Component Test System Business	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	24,980	21,911
Translation adjustments	2,295	3,069
Balance at end of year	27,275	24,980
Services Support And Others	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	16,690	14,585
Acquisition of subsidiary	1,252	'
Translation adjustments	1,629	2,105
Balance at end of year	¥ 19,571	¥ 16,690

Investment_Securities_Schedule

Investment Securities (Schedule of Acquisition Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Securities) (Detail) (Equity Securities, JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Equity Securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Acquisition cost	¥ 2,055	¥ 3,079
Gross unrealized gains	1,244	2,377
Gross unrealized losses	27	1
Fair value	¥ 3,272	¥ 5,455

Investment_Securities_Addition

Investment Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Investment Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities	¥ 2,482	¥ 425	¥ 10,717
Gross realized gains on available-for-sale securities	1,396	388	19
Other-than-temporarily impairment losses on available for sale	0	388	1,259
Carrying amounts of non-marketable equity securities	469	468	'
Other non-marketable equity securities lack readily determinable fair values	469	460	'
Non-marketable equity securities with a purchase cost	'	20	1,395
Non-marketable equity securities written down to fair value	'	8	400
Other-than-temporarily impairment losses Non-marketable equity securities	¥ 0	¥ 12	¥ 995

Investment_Securities_Schedule1

Investment Securities (Schedule of Individual Securities Have Been in Continuous Unrealized Loss Position) (Detail) (Equity Securities, JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Equity Securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value, Less than 12 months	¥ 289	'
Gross unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	27	'
Fair value, 12 months or longer	'	5
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer	'	¥ 1

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Forward Contracts, Foreign Exchange Forward, JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Forward Contracts | Foreign Exchange Forward	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amounts of outstanding forward contracts for foreign currency contract	¥ 0	¥ 147

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Fair Value of Derivative Contracts) (Detail) (Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Assets	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'
Assets, Foreign exchange contracts	¥ 16
Other Current Liabilities	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'
Liabilities, Foreign exchange contracts	¥ 0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments (Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Detail) (Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Foreign Exchange Contract, Other Income (Expense), JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign Exchange Contract | Other Income (Expense)	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	¥ 96	¥ (96)	¥ 630

Fair_Value_Measurement_Carryin

Fair Value Measurement (Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial liabilities, Carrying amount	¥ 25,000	¥ 25,000
Carrying amount	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	3,272	5,455
Financial assets, Foreign exchange contracts	'	16
Financial liabilities, Foreign exchange contracts	'	0
Fair value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	3,272	5,455
Financial assets, Foreign exchange contracts	'	16
Financial liabilities, Foreign exchange contracts	'	0
Corporate Bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial liabilities, Carrying amount	25,000	25,000
Financial liabilities, Fair value	24,975	25,026
Convertible Bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial liabilities, Carrying amount	30,149	'
Financial liabilities, Fair value	¥ 31,518	'

Fair_Value_Measurement_Carryin1

Fair Value Measurement (Carrying Amount of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis by Level) (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Assets, Available-for-sale equity securities	¥ 3,272	¥ 5,455
Financial assets, Foreign exchange contracts	'	16
Total assets measured at fair value	3,272	5,471
Financial liabilities, Foreign exchange contracts	'	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value	'	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Assets, Available-for-sale equity securities	3,272	5,455
Total assets measured at fair value	3,272	5,455
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets, Foreign exchange contracts	'	16
Total assets measured at fair value	'	16
Financial liabilities, Foreign exchange contracts	'	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value	'	¥ 0

Fair_Value_Measurement_Carryin2

Fair Value Measurement (Carrying Amount of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis by Level) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total gains (losses)	¥ (13,495)	¥ (146)
Non Marketable Equity Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total gains (losses)	'	-12
Assets Held-for-sale	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total gains (losses)	'	-134
Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total gains (losses)	-1,596	'
Intangible Assets	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total gains (losses)	-11,899	'
Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value	'	1,345
Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value	'	1,345
Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis | Non Marketable Equity Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value	'	8
Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis | Non Marketable Equity Securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value	'	8
Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis | Assets Held-for-sale	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value	'	1,337
Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis | Assets Held-for-sale | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value	'	¥ 1,337

Fair_Value_Measurement_Additio

Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
		Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis	Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis	Other Current Assets
			Assets Held-for-sale
Fair Value Measurement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets measured at fair value	'	¥ 1,345	¥ 1,337	'
Land classified as asset held for sale	'	'	'	1,144
Impairment losses	¥ 13,495	'	'	'

LeasesLessor_Additional_Inform

Leases-Lessor - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Operating lease term, minimum	'1 year
Operating lease term, maximum	'5 years

LeasesLessor_Gross_Amount_of_M

Leases-Lessor (Gross Amount of Machinery and Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation Under Operating Leases) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Leases-Lessor [Abstract]	'	'
Machinery and equipment	¥ 8,354	¥ 9,419
Less accumulated depreciation	6,661	5,840
Machinery and equipment under operating leases, net	¥ 1,693	¥ 3,579

LeasesLessor_Future_Minimum_Le

Leases-Lessor (Future Minimum Lease Income Under Noncancelable Operating Leases) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Leases-Lessor [Abstract]	'
2015	¥ 664
2016	154
2017	'
2018	'
2019	'
Thereafter	'
Total minimum lease income	¥ 818

LeasesLessee_Additional_Inform

Leases-Lessee - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Rent expense	¥ 2,039	¥ 1,800	¥ 1,565

LeasesLessee_Schedule_of_Futur

Leases-Lessee (Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Leases-Lessee [Abstract]	'
2015	¥ 834
2016	721
2017	365
2018	332
2019	272
Thereafter	844
Total minimum lease payments	3,368
Less sublease income to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases	585
Net minimum lease payments	¥ 2,783

Carrying_Values_of_Corporate_B

Carrying Values of Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount	¥ 30,149	'
Unsecured zero coupon convertible bonds, due March 14, 2019	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount	30,000	0
Corporate bonds	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount	25,000	25,000
Corporate bonds | Unsecured 0.416% bonds, due May 25, 2015	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount	10,000	10,000
Corporate bonds | Unsecured 0.606% bonds, due May 25, 2017	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount	15,000	15,000
Convertible bonds	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Add unamortized premium	149	'
Amount	30,149	'
Convertible bonds | Unsecured zero coupon convertible bonds, due March 14, 2019	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount	¥ 30,000	'

Carrying_Values_of_Corporate_B1

Carrying Values of Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Unsecured 0.416% bonds, due May 25, 2015 | Corporate bonds	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	0.42%	0.42%
Maturity date	25-May-15	25-May-15
Unsecured 0.606% bonds, due May 25, 2017 | Corporate bonds	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	0.61%	0.61%
Maturity date	25-May-17	25-May-17
Unsecured zero coupon convertible bonds, due March 14, 2019	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	14-Mar-19	'
Unsecured zero coupon convertible bonds, due March 14, 2019 | Convertible bonds	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	0.00%	0.00%
Maturity date	14-Mar-19	14-Mar-19

Corporate_Bonds_and_Convertibl2

Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds - Additional Information (Detail) (Unsecured zero coupon convertible bonds, due March 14, 2019, JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible bonds, issued	¥ 30,000	¥ 0
Maturity date	14-Mar-19	'
Amount in excess of dividends for which conversion price is adjusted	¥ 15	'
Reduction in conversion price triggered of principal amount	100.00%	'
Debt instrument outstanding percentage	100.00%	'
Minimum	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stock acquisition rights effective date	1-Apr-14	'
Conversion price per common share	¥ 1,123	'
Maximum	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stock acquisition rights effective date	28-Feb-19	'
Conversion price per common share	¥ 1,655	'
Percentage of redemption premium of principal amount	3.00%	'
Debt instrument original issuance outstanding	10.00%	'

Aggregate_Amounts_of_Maturitie

Aggregate Amounts of Maturities for Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
2015	'
2016	10,000
2017	'
2018	15,000
2019	30,000
Thereafter	'
Total	¥ 55,000

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes (Components of Income Before Income Taxes and Equity) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'
The Company and domestic subsidiaries	¥ (29,581)	¥ (16,721)	¥ (2,775)
Foreign subsidiaries	-5,920	15,428	-667
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company	¥ (35,501)	¥ (1,293)	¥ (3,442)

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Pro

Income Taxes (Components of Provision (Benefit)) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current Provision (benefit), The Company and domestic subsidiaries	¥ 248	¥ 411	¥ 555
Current Provision (benefit), Foreign subsidiaries	2,027	1,243	1,841
Deferred Provision (benefit), The Company and domestic subsidiaries	545	-272	-1,513
Deferred Provision (benefit), Foreign subsidiaries	-2,759	1,111	-2,123
Total Provision (benefit) for income taxes	¥ 61	¥ 2,493	¥ (1,240)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory income tax rate	-37.70%	-37.80%	-40.40%
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	¥ 13,049	¥ 9,697	'
Deferred tax liability, undistributed earnings	1,922	1,426	'
Deferred tax assets	10,247	7,639	'
Deferred tax liabilities	868	1,392	'
Net operating loss carry forwards	145,173	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards utilized	2,712	14,728	25
Unrecognized tax benefits that would reduce the effective tax rate, if recognized	1,352	'	'
Period in which changes to unrecognized tax benefits is not expected, months	'12	'	'
Japan	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Open tax years	'2007	'	'
Taiwan	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Open tax years	'2012	'	'
United States	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Open tax years	'2009	'	'
First Amendment	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory income tax rate	37.80%	'	'
Second Amendment	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory income tax rate	35.40%	'	'
SINGAPORE	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory income tax rate	17.00%	17.00%	'
Japanese Plans	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carry forwards	124,252	'	'
Japanese Plans | Minimum	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expiration of Operating loss	31-Mar-15	'	'
Japanese Plans | Maximum	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expiration of Operating loss	31-Mar-23	'	'
Net Operating Losses With No Expiration Dates	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carry forwards	17,912	'	'
Net Operating Losses With Expiration Dates	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carry forwards	¥ 3,009	'	'
Net Operating Losses With Expiration Dates | Maximum	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expiration of Operating loss	31-Mar-32	'	'

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Statutory and Effective Income Tax Rate) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'
Statutory rates for expense (benefit)	-37.70%	-37.80%	-40.40%
Earnings of foreign subsidiaries taxed at different rates from the statutory rate in Japan	8.60%	-319.80%	12.30%
Tax credits	15.80%	-176.50%	-60.90%
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes	0.50%	11.30%	4.30%
Expiration of stock options	0.10%	16.60%	9.50%
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	0.20%	-6.00%	-20.00%
Change in valuation allowance	10.50%	704.30%	-92.10%
Effect of enacted changes in tax laws and rates on Japanese tax	3.70%	'	149.90%
Other, net	-1.50%	0.70%	1.40%
Total Income tax rate	0.20%	192.80%	-36.00%

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Defer

Income Taxes (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, Inventories	¥ 3,708	¥ 3,327	'	'
Deferred tax assets, Accrued warranty expenses	474	614	'	'
Deferred tax assets, Accrued pension and severance costs	9,455	9,212	'	'
Deferred tax assets, Accrued expenses	1,001	1,358	'	'
Deferred tax assets, Research and development expenses capitalized for tax purposes	2,381	2,470	'	'
Deferred tax assets, Operating loss carryforwards	49,097	38,912	'	'
Deferred tax assets, Property, plant and equipment	3,614	3,340	'	'
Deferred tax assets, Tax credits	2,368	8,122	'	'
Deferred tax assets, Other	1,924	2,059	'	'
Total gross deferred tax assets	74,022	69,414	'	'
Less valuation allowance	-62,834	-59,072	-50,188	-52,082
Net deferred tax assets	11,188	10,342	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities, Intangible assets	-567	-2,558	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities, Net unrealized gains on marketable securities	-316	-805	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities, Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	-769	-689	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities, Other	-157	-43	'	'
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	-1,809	-4,095	'	'
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	¥ 9,379	¥ 6,247	'	'

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Chang

Income Taxes (Schedule of Changes in Valuation Allowance) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	¥ 59,072	¥ 50,188	¥ 52,082
Additions	3,762	8,884	'
Reductions	'	'	1,894
Balance at end of year	¥ 62,834	¥ 59,072	¥ 50,188

Unrecognized_Tax_Benefits_Deta

Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	¥ 1,418	¥ 1,484	'
Acquisition of verigy	'	'	1,671
Increase for tax positions of previous years	84	84	148
Increase for tax positions of current year	0	0	57
Settlements	0	-58	-47
Lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	-274	-248	-341
Translation adjustments	124	156	-4
Balance at end of year	¥ 1,352	¥ 1,418	¥ 1,484

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Los2

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Beginning Balance	¥ 3,934	¥ (13,316)	¥ (14,738)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Change during the year	12,555	17,250	864
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Reclassification adjustments	'	'	558
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,555	17,250	1,422
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Ending Balance	16,489	3,934	-13,316
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities, Beginning Balance	1,549	1,375	773
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities, Change during the year	260	165	-216
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities, Reclassification adjustments for realized portion	-902	9	818
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year	-642	174	602
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities, Ending Balance	907	1,549	1,375
Pension related adjustment, Beginning Balance	-12,412	-10,633	-4,305
Pension related adjustment, Change during the year	-603	-2,251	-6,565
Pension related adjustment, Reclassification adjustments for realized portion	945	472	237
Pension related adjustment	342	-1,779	-6,328
Pension related adjustment, Closing Balance	-12,070	-12,412	-10,633
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, Beginning Balance	'	'	'
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, Change during the year	'	'	-55
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, Reclassification adjustments	'	'	55
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments	'	'	'
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, Ending Balance	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, Beginning Balance	-6,929	-22,574	-18,270
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Change during the year	12,212	15,164	-5,972
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Reclassification adjustments for realized portion	43	481	1,668
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	12,255	15,645	-4,304
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, Ending Balance	¥ 5,326	¥ (6,929)	¥ (22,574)

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Los3

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Before-tax amount	¥ 12,555	¥ 17,250	¥ 1,422
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year, Before-tax amount	361	321	-509
Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) realized in earnings, Before-tax amount	-1,396	-1	1,267
Net unrealized gains (losses), Before-tax amount	-1,035	320	758
Pension related adjustment, Before-tax amount	165	-1,908	-7,191
Other comprehensive income (loss), Before-tax amount	11,685	15,662	-5,011
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Tax (expense) or benefit	'	'	'
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year, Tax (expense) or benefit	-101	-156	293
Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) realized in earnings, Tax (expense) or benefit	494	10	-449
Net unrealized gains (losses), Tax (expense) or benefit	393	-146	-156
Pension related adjustment, Tax (expense) or benefit	177	129	863
Other comprehensive income (loss), Tax (expense) or benefit	570	-17	707
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Net-of-tax amount	12,555	17,250	1,422
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year, Net-of-tax amount	260	165	-216
Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) realized in earnings, Net-of-tax amount	-902	9	818
Net unrealized gains (losses), Net-of-tax amount	-642	174	602
Pension related adjustment, Net-of-tax amount	342	-1,779	-6,328
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	¥ 12,255	¥ 15,645	¥ (4,304)

Reclassification_Out_of_Accumu

Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'
Other, net	¥ (587)		¥ (1,442)	¥ (2,195)
Income taxes	-61		-2,493	1,240
Net income (loss)	-35,540		-3,821	-2,195
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'		'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'
Total amount reclassified, net of tax	43		'	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)	'		'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'
Other, net	-1,396	[1]	'	'
Income taxes	494		'	'
Net income (loss)	-902	[1]	'	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment	'		'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,264	[2]	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost	-168	[1],[2]	'	'
Income taxes	-151	[1]	'	'
Net income (loss)	¥ 945		'	'
[1]	Amounts in parentheses indicate a gain in the consolidated statements of operations.
[2]	The accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see note 16 for additional details).

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
	Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of times the average price of common shares of the preceding month on the date of grant	1.05	'	'
Stock options, exercise period, years	'4 years	'	'
Number of types of stock options granted with varying exercise prices and exercise periods to the directors and employees under a stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors	89	'	'
Stock options granted	2,763,000	2,521,000	4,033,046
Stock based compensation expense	¥ 1,283	¥ 861	¥ 583
Tax related benefit	324	235	153
Deferred tax assets	19	214	'
Weighted average fair value per share for stock options granted	¥ 460	¥ 347	¥ 448
Total fair value of shares vested	861	583	1,244
Cash proceeds from options exercised	494	472	0
Total intrinsic values of options exercised	151	131	0
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	4	'	'
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	¥ 4	'	'
Verigy	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock options granted	2,387,046	'	'
Exercise price of options granted, lower limit	¥ 807	'	'
Exercise price of options granted, upper limit	¥ 3,577	'	'
Verigy | Minimum	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expiration date of stock options	29-Jul-11	'	'
Verigy | Maximum	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expiration date of stock options	31-Jan-18	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Stock Option Activity) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of shares, Outstanding at beginning of year	5,704,699	4,888,206	1,948,000
Number of shares, Granted	2,763,000	2,521,000	4,033,046
Number of shares, Exercised	-406,318	-522,297	'
Number of shares, Expired	-669,605	-592,354	-595,840
Number of shares, Forfeited	-297,437	-589,856	-497,000
Number of shares, Outstanding at end of year	7,094,339	5,704,699	4,888,206
Number of shares, Exercisable at end of year	4,442,339	3,222,699	3,585,206
Weighted average exercise price	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding at beginning of year	¥ 1,418	¥ 1,616	¥ 3,392
Weighted average exercise price, Granted	¥ 1,669	¥ 1,207	¥ 1,399
Weighted average exercise price, Exercised	¥ 1,237	¥ 880	'
Weighted average exercise price, Expired	¥ 2,056	¥ 2,590	¥ 5,302
Weighted average exercise price, Forfeited	¥ 2,090	¥ 1,461	¥ 2,396
Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding at end of year	¥ 1,523	¥ 1,418	¥ 1,616
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable at end of year	¥ 1,437	¥ 1,580	¥ 1,648

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu1

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share for Stock Options Granted) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Expected dividend yield	1.10%	1.10%	0.40%
Risk free interest rate	0.20%	0.10%	0.50%
Volatility	44.70%	50.70%	49.30%
Expected life, years	'2 years 9 months 18 days	'3 years 10 months 24 days	'3 years 1 month 6 days

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu2

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Outstanding Stock Options) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of options, Outstanding	7,094,339	5,704,699	4,888,206	1,948,000
Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding	¥ 1,523	¥ 1,418	¥ 1,616	¥ 3,392
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Outstanding, years	'3 years	'	'	'
Number of options, Exercisable	4,442,339	3,222,699	3,585,206	'
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable	¥ 1,437	¥ 1,580	¥ 1,648	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Exercisable, years	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'	'	'
897 - 1668	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exercise price, lower range limit	¥ 897	'	'	'
Exercise price, upper range limit	¥ 1,668	'	'	'
Number of options, Outstanding	3,767,889	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding	¥ 1,327	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Outstanding, years	'2 years 7 months 6 days	'	'	'
Number of options, Exercisable	3,767,889	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable	¥ 1,327	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Exercisable, years	'2 years 7 months 6 days	'	'	'
1669 - 3,529	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exercise price, lower range limit	¥ 1,669	'	'	'
Exercise price, upper range limit	¥ 3,529	'	'	'
Number of options, Outstanding	3,326,450	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding	¥ 1,746	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Outstanding, years	'3 years 6 months	'	'	'
Number of options, Exercisable	674,450	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable	¥ 2,051	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Exercisable, years	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'	'	'

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_2

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Information about Retirement and Severance Plans) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Japanese Plans	'	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost	¥ 1,735	¥ 1,487	¥ 1,355
Interest cost	565	689	748
Expected return on plan assets	-464	-299	-405
Amortization of unrecognized, Net actuarial (gain) or loss	919	790	511
Amortization of unrecognized, Prior service (benefit) cost	-168	-168	-172
Other	'	'	-18
Net periodic benefit cost	2,587	2,499	2,019
Non-Japanese Plans	'	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost	377	345	227
Interest cost	448	348	242
Expected return on plan assets	-331	-267	-237
Amortization of unrecognized, Net actuarial (gain) or loss	345	241	'
Net periodic benefit cost	¥ 839	¥ 667	¥ 232

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_3

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Benefit Obligation, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status of Plan) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Japanese Plans	'	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Change in benefit obligation, Balance at beginning of year	¥ 43,589	¥ 38,433	'
Change in benefit obligation, Service cost	1,735	1,487	1,355
Change in benefit obligation, Interest cost	565	689	748
Change in benefit obligation, Actuarial (gain) or loss	1,451	3,645	'
Change in benefit obligation, Benefits paid	-708	-665	'
Change in benefit obligation, Balance at end of year	46,632	43,589	38,433
Change in plan assets, Balance at beginning of year	23,207	19,995	'
Change in plan assets, Employer contributions	1,868	1,759	'
Change in plan assets, Actual return on plan assets	2,244	2,010	'
Change in plan assets, Benefits paid	-534	-557	'
Change in plan assets, Balance at end of year	26,785	23,207	19,995
Funded status	-19,847	-20,382	'
Non-Japanese Plans	'	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Change in benefit obligation, Balance at beginning of year	11,932	10,214	'
Change in benefit obligation, Service cost	377	345	227
Change in benefit obligation, Interest cost	448	348	242
Change in benefit obligation, Actuarial (gain) or loss	724	420	'
Change in benefit obligation, Plan amendment	'	34	'
Change in benefit obligation, Plan participants' contributions	126	16	'
Change in benefit obligation, Benefits paid	-90	-548	'
Change in benefit obligation, Foreign currency exchange rate changes	2,102	1,103	'
Change in benefit obligation, Balance at end of year	15,619	11,932	10,214
Change in plan assets, Balance at beginning of year	5,436	4,636	'
Change in plan assets, Employer contributions	40	26	'
Change in plan assets, Plan participants' contributions	126	131	'
Change in plan assets, Actual return on plan assets	271	297	'
Change in plan assets, Benefits paid	-90	-158	'
Change in plan assets, Foreign currency exchange rate changes	954	504	'
Change in plan assets, Balance at end of year	6,737	5,436	4,636
Funded status	¥ (8,882)	¥ (6,496)	'

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_4

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued expenses	¥ (157)	¥ (196)
Accrued pension and severance costs	-19,690	-20,186
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets	-19,847	-20,382
Non-Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued expenses	-57	-107
Accrued pension and severance costs	-8,825	-6,389
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets	¥ (8,882)	¥ (6,496)

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_5

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Pension Related Adjustments (Before Tax) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Actuarial loss	¥ (10,270)	¥ (11,517)
Prior service benefit	1,005	1,173
Pension related adjustments (before tax) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-9,265	-10,344
Non-Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Actuarial loss	-4,436	-3,522
Pension related adjustments (before tax) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	¥ (4,436)	¥ (3,522)

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_6

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Changes in Pension Related Adjustments (Before Tax) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Changes in pension related adjustments (before tax) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	¥ (165)	¥ 1,908	¥ 7,191
Japanese Plans	'	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current year actuarial gain (loss)	328	-1,935	'
Amortization of actuarial gain	919	790	'
Current year prior service benefit	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service benefit and other	-168	-168	'
Changes in pension related adjustments (before tax) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	1,079	-1,313	'
Non-Japanese Plans	'	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current year actuarial gain (loss)	-797	-403	'
Amortization of actuarial gain	345	241	'
Current year prior service benefit	'	'	'
Translation adjustments	-462	-433	'
Changes in pension related adjustments (before tax) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	¥ (914)	¥ (595)	'

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_7

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Estimated Prior Service Cost and Actuarial Loss for Defined Benefit Pension Plans) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Japanese Plans	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'
Actuarial loss	¥ 898
Prior service benefit	-168
Estimated prior service cost and actuarial loss for the defined benefit pension plans	730
Non-Japanese Plans	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'
Actuarial loss	392
Estimated prior service cost and actuarial loss for the defined benefit pension plans	¥ 392

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_8

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	¥ 46,632	¥ 43,589
Accumulated benefit obligation	45,693	42,573
Fair value of plan assets	26,785	23,207
Non-Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	15,619	11,932
Accumulated benefit obligation	13,454	10,076
Fair value of plan assets	¥ 6,737	¥ 5,436

Accrued_Pension_and_Severance_9

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Discount rate	1.30%	1.30%
Rate of compensation increase	2.60%	3.00%
Non-Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Discount rate	3.40%	3.50%
Rate of compensation increase	2.80%	2.60%

Recovered_Sheet1

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Japanese Plans	'	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate	1.30%	1.80%	2.20%
Expected return on plan assets	2.00%	1.50%	2.00%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Non-Japanese Plans	'	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate	3.50%	3.70%	4.80%
Expected return on plan assets	5.90%	5.70%	6.60%
Rate of compensation increase	2.60%	2.80%	2.80%

Recovered_Sheet2

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Weighted-Average Asset Allocation of Domestic Benefit Plans) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Life insurance company general accounts	10.80%	13.00%
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	100.00%	100.00%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	100.00%	'
Target, Life insurance company general accounts	13.00%	'
Japanese Plans | Equity Securities	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	37.90%	34.50%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	30.00%	'
Japanese Plans | Debt Securities	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	26.20%	30.10%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	35.00%	'
Japanese Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	5.20%	9.50%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	2.00%	'
Japanese Plans | Other Asset	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	19.90%	12.90%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	20.00%	'
Non-Japanese Plans	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	100.00%	100.00%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	100.00%	'
Non-Japanese Plans | Equity Securities	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	43.10%	42.80%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	43.50%	'
Non-Japanese Plans | Debt Securities	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	25.00%	35.10%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	25.30%	'
Non-Japanese Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	28.90%	18.20%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	28.20%	'
Non-Japanese Plans | Other Asset	'	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocation of benefit plans	3.00%	3.90%
Weighted-average asset target allocation of benefit plans	3.00%	'

Recovered_Sheet3

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Fair Value of Plan Assets Measured with Levels of Inputs) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Japanese Plans	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	¥ 26,785		¥ 23,207		¥ 19,995
Japanese Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,400		2,202		'
Japanese Plans | Equity Securities Japanese Companies	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	937		1,379		'
Japanese Plans | Equity Securities Pooled Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	9,211	[1]	6,633	[2]	'
Japanese Plans | Debt Securities Pooled Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	7,025	[3]	6,975	[3]	'
Japanese Plans | Hedge Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	5,316	[4]	2,993	[4]	'
Japanese Plans | Life Insurance Company General Accounts	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	2,896		3,025		'
Japanese Plans | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	2,337		3,581		'
Japanese Plans | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,400		2,202		'
Japanese Plans | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Equity Securities Japanese Companies	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	937		1,379		'
Japanese Plans | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	22,271		18,613		'
Japanese Plans | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities Pooled Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	9,211	[1]	6,633	[2]	'
Japanese Plans | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Debt Securities Pooled Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	7,025	[3]	6,975	[3]	'
Japanese Plans | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Hedge Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	3,139	[4]	1,980	[4]	'
Japanese Plans | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Life Insurance Company General Accounts	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	2,896		3,025		'
Japanese Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	2,177		1,013		'
Japanese Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Hedge Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	2,177	[4]	1,013	[4]	'
Non-Japanese Plans	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	6,737		5,436		4,636
Non-Japanese Plans | Commodities Investment	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	200		208		'
Non-Japanese Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,949	[5]	992	[5]	'
Non-Japanese Plans | Equity Securities Pooled Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	2,901	[6]	2,326	[6]	'
Non-Japanese Plans | Debt Securities Pooled Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,687	[7]	1,910	[7]	'
Non-Japanese Plans | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,949		992		'
Non-Japanese Plans | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	1,949	[5]	992	[5]	'
Non-Japanese Plans | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	4,788		4,444		'
Non-Japanese Plans | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Commodities Investment	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	200		208		'
Non-Japanese Plans | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity Securities Pooled Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	2,901	[6]	2,326	[6]	'
Non-Japanese Plans | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Debt Securities Pooled Funds	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets	¥ 1,687	[7]	¥ 1,910	[7]	'
[1]	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of approximately 55% Japanese listed companies and 45% foreign listed companies.
[2]	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of approximately 60% Japanese listed companies and 40% foreign listed companies.
[3]	These funds invested in approximately 80% Japanese government bonds, 15% Japanese corporate bonds, and 5% Japanese municipal bonds.
[4]	These hedge funds invested in stock price index futures / options, bond futures / options, bonds and private equity funds and others.
[5]	Cash equivalents were primarily in short-term investment funds, which consisted of short-term money market instruments that were valued using quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
[6]	These funds invested in listed equity securities consisting of foreign equities.
[7]	These funds invested in international bonds.

Recovered_Sheet4

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Fair Value of Plan Assets Measured with Levels of Inputs) (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Japanese Listed Companies	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Investments in equity securities, percentage	55.00%	60.00%
Foreign Listed Companies	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Investments in equity securities, percentage	45.00%	40.00%
Japanese Government Bonds	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Investments in bonds, percentage	80.00%	80.00%
Japanese Corporate Bonds	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Investments in bonds, percentage	15.00%	15.00%
Japanese Municipal Bonds	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Investments in bonds, percentage	5.00%	5.00%

Recovered_Sheet5

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Changes in Level 3 Plan Assets) (Detail) (Hedge Funds, JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Hedge Funds	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	¥ 1,013	¥ 1,137
Net realized / unrealized gain (loss)	186	23
Purchases, issuances and settlements	978	-147
Transfer in and / or out of Level 3	'	'
Balance at end of year	¥ 2,177	¥ 1,013

Recovered_Sheet6

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Japanese Plans	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'
Expected contributions during the year ending March 31, 2014	¥ 1,422
Non-Japanese Plans	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'
Expected contributions during the year ending March 31, 2014	¥ 48

Recovered_Sheet7

Accrued Pension and Severance Costs (Schedule of Estimated Future Benefit Payments) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Japanese Plans	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'
2015	¥ 788
2016	915
2017	1,011
2018	1,153
2019	1,335
2020 through 2024	9,045
Non-Japanese Plans	'
Accrued Pension And Severance Costs [Abstract]	'
2015	138
2016	118
2017	250
2018	173
2019	215
2020 through 2024	¥ 2,934

Stockholders_Equity_Changes_in

Stockholders' Equity (Changes in Number of Shares Issued and Treasury Stock) (Detail)	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
			Total Shares Of Common Stock	Total Shares Of Common Stock	Total Shares Of Common Stock	Total Shares Of Common Stock	Shares Of Treasury Stock	Shares Of Treasury Stock	Shares Of Treasury Stock
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares, beginning balance	'	'	199,566,770	199,566,770	199,566,770	199,566,770	25,773,688	26,295,390	26,294,819
Purchase of shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,458	671	899
Exercise of stock options	-406,318	-522,297	'	'	'	'	-406,318	-522,297	'
Sale of shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-76	-328
Number of shares, ending balance	'	'	199,566,770	199,566,770	199,566,770	199,566,770	25,368,828	25,773,688	26,295,390

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'
Distributions paid by the company to be appropriated as additional paid-in capital or a legal reserve	10.00%
Dividends per share	¥ 5
Dividend proposed	¥ 871
Amount available for future payment of dividends	¥ 29,349
Total Shares Of Common Stock	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'
Minimum additional paid in capital or a legal reserve in order to satisfy distribution appropriation	25.00%

Accrued_Warranty_Expenses_Sche

Accrued Warranty Expenses (Schedule of Changes in Accrued Warranty Expenses) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Accrued Warranty Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	¥ 1,889	¥ 2,129	¥ 1,754
Acquisition of Verigy	'	'	209
Addition	2,319	3,172	3,432
Reduction	-2,667	-3,474	-3,269
Translation adjustments	48	62	3
Balance at end of year	¥ 1,589	¥ 1,889	¥ 2,129

Operating_Segment_and_Geograph2

Operating Segment and Geographic Information - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of reportable operating segments	3	'	'
Net sales	¥ 111,878	¥ 132,903	¥ 141,048
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	30,994	31,777	29,687
TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	33,347	35,826	27,591
China And Others	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	¥ 17,320	¥ 21,611	¥ 30,918
Consolidated net sales | One Customer	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of total consolidated net sales	15.00%	6.00%	12.00%
Consolidated net sales | Another Customer	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of total consolidated net sales	4.00%	14.00%	29.00%

Operating_Segment_and_Geograph3

Operating Segment and Geographic Information (Schedule of Reportable Operating Segment Information) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	¥ 111,878	¥ 132,903	¥ 141,048
Impairment charge	13,495	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	8,268	8,063	6,838
Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses	-35,086	941	1,420
Stock based compensation expense	1,283	861	583
Operating income	-36,369	80	837
Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets	5,626	12,592	6,984
Total assets	229,856	225,515	219,226
Unaffiliated Customers	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	111,878	132,903	141,048
Semiconductor And Component Test System Business	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	73,017	101,119	105,608
Impairment charge	12,770	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	3,711	3,423	2,658
Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses	-26,724	10,956	9,845
Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets	2,099	3,530	2,398
Total assets	80,564	99,168	93,603
Semiconductor And Component Test System Business | Unaffiliated Customers	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	72,760	99,719	101,831
Semiconductor And Component Test System Business | Inter-Segment Sales	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	257	1,400	3,777
Mechatronics System Business	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	14,984	13,653	20,616
Impairment charge	725	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	411	486	627
Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses	-5,063	-4,614	-1,324
Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets	1,562	4,565	750
Total assets	19,423	18,242	12,789
Mechatronics System Business | Unaffiliated Customers	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	14,967	13,107	20,410
Mechatronics System Business | Inter-Segment Sales	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	17	546	206
Services Support And Others	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	24,151	20,077	18,807
Depreciation and amortization	3,716	3,690	3,070
Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses	3,012	775	1,614
Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets	1,826	4,356	3,492
Total assets	38,046	36,065	30,713
Services Support And Others | Unaffiliated Customers	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	24,151	20,077	18,807
Elimination And Corporate	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	-274	-1,946	-3,983
Depreciation and amortization	430	464	483
Operating income (loss) before stock option compensation expenses	-6,311	-6,176	-8,715
Expenditures for additions to long- lived assets	139	141	344
Total assets	91,823	72,040	82,121
Elimination And Corporate | Inter-Segment Sales	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	¥ (274)	¥ (1,946)	¥ (3,983)

Operating_Segment_and_Geograph4

Operating Segment and Geographic Information (Schedule of Net Sales to Unaffiliated Customers) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	¥ 111,878	¥ 132,903	¥ 141,048
JAPAN	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	12,221	14,045	16,095
Americas	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	10,720	20,583	29,742
Europe	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	7,276	9,061	7,015
Asia	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	¥ 81,661	¥ 89,214	¥ 88,196

Operating_Segment_and_Geograph5

Operating Segment and Geographic Information (Schedule of Long-Lived Assets) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	¥ 39,925	¥ 41,368	¥ 34,206
JAPAN	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	24,799	27,336	28,234
Americas	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,417	2,693	1,073
Europe	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,435	2,106	1,582
Asia	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	¥ 10,274	¥ 9,233	¥ 3,317

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Percentage of stockholders	11.60%

Related_Party_Transactions_Sch

Related Party Transactions (Schedule of Related Party Transactions) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Sales of products	¥ 802	¥ 1,128	¥ 1,847
Purchases of raw materials	2,800	3,757	6,155
Receivables	114	338	459
Payables	1,336	1,255	2,653
Purchases of software, hardware and others	282	66	95
Research and development expenses, computer rentals, maintenance and other expenses	¥ 1,551	¥ 1,634	¥ 1,976

Per_Share_Data_Schedule_of_Com

Per Share Data (Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share) (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Per Share Data [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	¥ (35,540)	¥ (3,821)	¥ (2,195)
Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	174,134,457	173,478,054	173,271,717
Dilutive effect of exercise of stock options	'	'	'
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	174,134,457	173,478,054	173,271,717
Basic net income (loss) per share	¥ (204.1)	¥ (22.03)	¥ (12.67)
Diluted net income (loss) per share	¥ (204.1)	¥ (22.03)	¥ (12.67)

Per_Share_Data_Additional_Info

Per Share Data - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Per Share Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive outstanding stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share	7,094,339	5,704,699	4,888,206

Concentrations_of_Credit_Risk_

Concentrations of Credit Risk - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Customer	Customer
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Number of customers with significant receivables	1	1
Accounts Receivable	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Receivables from customers accounted for consolidated trade receivables, percentage	14.00%	16.00%

Commitments_and_Contingent_Lia1

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (JPY ¥)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]	'
Commitment agreement, term end	'2015-03
Financing amount for unused availability	¥ 10,000
Property Plant and Equipment	'
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]	'
Commitments outstanding	21
Raw Materials and Supplies	'
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]	'
Commitments outstanding	¥ 5,174