Canon

Canon (company)

Type

Public

TYO: 7751

NYSE: CAJ

Industry Consumer electronics

Founded Tokyo, Japan (10 August 1937)

Headquarters Ōta, Tokyo, Japan

Area served Worldwide

Key peopleFujio Mitarai, Chairman & CEO

Tsuneji Uchida, President & COO

Products

Print and document solutions, printers,

scanners, still cameras, SLR cameras,

camcorders, binoculars, calculators,

medical, optical, broadcast, IT imaging

equipment

Revenue ¥3.7069 trillion / $45.764 billion (2010)

Net income246.603 billion Yen / $3.044 billion

(2010)

Employees 198,572 (2011)[1]

Website www.canon.com

Canon Inc. (キ ヤ ノ ン 株 式 会 社 ? ) is a Japanese multinational corporation that specialises in the

Canon Inc. (キ ヤ ノ ン 株 式 会 社 ? ) is a Japanese multinational corporation that specialises in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, including cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, steppers and computer printers. Its headquarters are located in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.[2]

Contents

] 1 Origins 2 Company milestones

2.1 1930s - 1960s

2.2 1970s – 2010s

2.3 Proposed gTLD

3 Products

3.1 Laser printers

3.2 Digital Copiers

3.3 Inkjet printers

3.4 Digital cameras

3.5 Canon Speedlite

3.6 Scanners

3.7 Computers

4 Company structure

5 Environmental activities

6 Sponsorship

6.1 In Europe

6.1.1 Football

6.1.2 Fashion

6.1.3 The Red

6.1.4 WWF

6.1.5 World Press Photo

6.1.6 Formula

6.2 In Canada

6.3 In USA

6.4 In Oceania

7 Headquarters

8 See also

9 References

10 External links

[edit] Origins

The original Digital IXUS

The company was originally named Kwanon[3] by Goro Yoshida after the Buddhist bodhisattva Guan Yin, known in Japanese as Kannon. In 1934 it produced a prototype for Japan’s first-ever 35 mm camera with a focal plane shutter. In 1947 the company name was changed to Canon.

[edit] Company milestones

Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory is the predecessor of Canon Inc. and was founded in Tokyo in 1937 by Takeshi Mitarai, Goro Yoshida, Saburo Uchida and Takeo Maeda.

1934 logo depicting Bodhisattva Kwan'on

[edit] 1930s - 1960s

1933 - 1936: ‘The Kwanon’,[4] Japan’s first 35 mm focal plane-shutter camera, was produced in prototype form. 1940: An indirect X-ray camera, also a first for Japan, is developed.

1947: The company is renamed Canon Camera Co., Inc.

1958: A field zoom lens for television broadcasting is introduced.

1959: Reflex Zoom 8, the world’s first camcorder with a zoom lens, and Canonflex are introduced.

1961: Canon creates an outstanding Rangefinder camera, Canon 7, and 50mm 1:0.95 lens in a special bayonet mount.

1964: 'Canola 130', the first Japanese made 10-key calculator, is introduced. It was a substantial improvement on the design of the British Bell Punch company, which introduced the first fully electronic calculator two years earlier with the Sumlock Anita Mark 8 unit.

1965: Canon introduces Canon Pellix, an SLR camera with a semi-transparent stationary mirror which enables taking pictures through the mirror.

1969: The company's name is changed to Canon Inc.

[edit] 1970s – 2010s

1971: F-1, a top-end SLR (single lens reflex) camera, and FD lenses are introduced. 1976: AE-1 is launched, the world’s first camera with an embedded micro-computer.

1985: The world’s first Inkjet printer using the bubble jet technology is introduced.

1987: Canon introduces Canon Electro-Optical System (EOS). EOS is also the name of a goddess of the dawn. EOS 650 autofocus SLR camera is introduced, and the Canon Foundation is established.

1988: Canon introduces 'Kyosei philosophy'.[5]

1989: EOS RT is unveiled, the world's first AF SLR with a fixed, semi-transparent pellicle mirror.

1992: EOS 5, the first-ever camera with eye-controlled AF, is launched.

1995: Canon introduces the first commercially available SLR lens with internal image stabilization, EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. EOS-1N RS, the world's fastest AF SLR camera with a continuous shooting speed of 10 frame/s at the time. Based on the EOS-1N, the EOS-1N RS has a fixed, semi-transparent pellicle mirror with a hard coat.

1996: ELPH (America) IXUS (Europe), a pocket-sized camera with the Advanced Photo System, is introduced.

1997: Canon enters the digital video camcorder market.

2002: Fujio Mitarai, president and CEO of Canon Inc., is named one of the world’s top 25 managers by BusinessWeek.

2003: The world’s first portable digital X-ray system is used to reconstruct the face of an Egyptian mummy believed to be Queen Nefertiti.

2004: The XEED SX50 LCD projector is introduced.

2005: Canon’s first high-definition video camcorder is introduced.

2007: Canon Europe celebrates its 50th anniversary.

2009: Canon acquires Océ.

2010: Canon acquires Tereck Office Solutions, Inc.[6]

Today, the company produces digital compact and SLR cameras, photographic lenses, video camcorders, printers and analog and digital copiers for the office, including its line of imageRUNNER and imagePRESS digital multifunctional devices.

Canon was granted more than 2000 patents in the U.S. in 2008. It regularly places in the top five in the total number of patents granted.

[edit] Proposed gTLD

On March 16, 2010, Canon announced that it was seeking to acquire a new .canon generic top-level domain.[7]

[edit] Products

Canon is a manufacturer of business and consumer imaging products which includes printers, scanners, binoculars, compact digital cameras, film SLR and digital SLR cameras, lenses and video camcorders.

The Business Solutions division offers print and document solutions for small and medium businesses, large corporations and governments. These include multi-functional printers, black and white and color office printers, large format printers, scanners, black and white and color production printers, as well as software to support these products.

Lesser known Canon products include medical, optical and broadcast products, including ophthalmic and x-ray devices, broadcast lenses, semiconductors, digital microfilm scanners, and Handy Terminal Solutions.

[edit] Laser printers

This section requires expansion.

For many years, Canon were the principal makers of the print-engines found in industry-standard laser printers. The first models of Apple LaserWriter, and the equivalent products made by HP, used the Canon LBP-CX engine. The next models (LaserWriter II series, LaserJet II series) used the Canon LBP-SX engine. Later models used the Canon LBP-LX, LBP-EX, LBP-PX engines and many other Canon print engines.

Between printer models based on the same Canon print engine, many parts (such as toner cartridges, fuser units, roller assemblies) are interchangeable.

Canon laser printers use cartridges.

[edit] Digital Copiers

Canon's largest division in terms of revenue is its multifunction copier division. Many of the sweeping changes during the "Digital Revolution" in the industry were invented by Canon. This has enabled Canon to hold the highest market share in the industry for 26 of the last 27 years. Canon distributes its consumer and home office imageCLASS line though retail outlets and professional grade imageRUNNER series through subsidiary Canon Business Solutions and independent distributors. The professional grade series ranges from small table tops to large digital presses.

[edit] Inkjet printers

Products

[edit] Digital cameras

This section requires expansion.

A Canon EOS 50D camera

Canon has been manufacturing and distributing digital cameras since 1984, starting with the RC-701. The RC series was followed by the PowerShot and Digital IXUS series of digital cameras. Canon also developed the EOS series of digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) which includes high-end professional models.

See main articles:Canon PowerShotCanon PowerShot G seriesCanon Digital IXUSCanon EOSCanon EF lens mount (includes list of EF lenses)Canon EF-S lens mount, a subset of the EF mount specifically for DSLRs with APS-C sensors (includes list of EF-S lenses)

Canon has recently implicated Thermal Transition Copying as a part of the manufacturing process for all new cameras being produced by canon. This manufacturing process allows a camera's polymer casing to very slightly change temperature through an exothermic reaction triggered by electronic sensors, to assist in the prevention of condensation inside the camera; a common problem experienced when using an SLR camera in certain conditions.

[edit] Canon Speedlite

Canon has also produced high-output flash units for their DSLR cameras. They have a wide variety of flash units available including the 270EX, 320EX, 430EX Speedlites and their bigger brother the Canon 580EX Speedlite. Canon also produces macro flash units including the Macro Twin Lite and the Macro Ring Lite. Canon’s flash units are known for their excellent workmanship and durability.

[edit] Scanners

This section requires expansion.

Canon has manufactured high-quality scanners for use with home computers for many years; they also make flatbed scanners, film scanners, and document scanners. The Canon Canoscan 8800F is, as of 2009, one of the most popular devices for scanning photographs and transparencies.[citation needed]

[edit] Computers

Canon introduced two MSX home computer models in 1983, the V-10 and the V-20. Both offered just the minimum range of the MSX standards without any additional features. The V-20 was able to receive photos from the T90 Canon camera with the Data Memory Back T90 expansion.

See main article: Canon V-20

[edit] Company structure

This section requires expansion.

Canon has regional headquarters in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Japan, Asia and Oceania (including Australia & New Zealand) . Canon in Europe is split into Canon Europa NV (based in the Netherlands) and Canon Europe Ltd (based in London). Both make up the European headquarters for Canon.

Canon corporate headquarter building

Canon corporate headquarter building distant view

[edit] Environmental activities

A report by the environmental organization Clean Air-Cool Planet puts Canon at the top of a list of 56 companies the survey conducted on climate-friendly companies.[8]

Canon has also launched three new calculators in Europe, called "Green Calculators", which are produced in part from recycled Canon copiers.[9]

The company has a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy in Europe, named ‘Green is just a shade of blue’. The strategy places emphasis on green issues being ‘a small part of the bigger, bluer picture’, and therefore gives equal importance to other areas, including ethics, attitudes, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, education, science and social welfare.

The Canon Group has an environmental charter which looks at ‘offering products with a lower environmental burden through improvements in resource efficiency, while eliminating anti-social activities that threaten the health and safety of mankind and the environment.’[10]

In 2008 Canon donated financial support to help the estimated 5 million people displaced by the earthquake that hit China’s Sichuan province in May 2008.[11]

1million RMB was donated to the Red Cross Society of China shortly after the earthquake. Canon Inc, Japan, soon followed with a donation of RMB10 million.[11]

[edit] Sponsorship

[edit] In Europe

[edit] Football

Canon was the sponsor of the English Football League, with a deal from 1983 to 1986. Canon has sponsored Champions League and other UEFA tournaments as either an official sponsor or a supplier of imaging equipment. The company also sponsored the World Cup tournaments from 1978 to 1998.[12]

The company sponsored the UEFA Cup final matches from 2006/07 to the 2008/09, and the UEFA Super Cup matches in 2007 and 2008, and most recently, sponsored the UEFA EURO 2008 football tournament.

Canon Europe was also an official sponsor of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations 2008 in Ghana and the Russian Premier Football League.[13]

[edit] Fashion

Canon Europe is sponsor of Paris Fashion Week and principal sponsor of London and Milan Fashion Weeks.[14]

[edit] The Red Cross

Since 2006 Canon has been helping the Red Cross provide support to thirteen Red Cross National Societies across Europe, with focus on youth projects. Support from Canon includes financial contributions and donations

of imaging equipment; including cameras, copying machines and digital radiography devices, as well as volunteer activities.[15]

[edit] WWF

Canon Europe has been a WWF Conservation Partner since 1998. The company provides funding to WWF's global conservation work to aid its environmental practices.

Since 2007, WWF and Canon have been working on a Polar Bear Tracking Programme and 'Canon Kids' Zone' children’s microsite. The WWF-Canon Polar Bear Tracking Programme tracks the movements of polar bears in the Arctic through radio collars placed around the bears’ necks. Their positions are transmitted to scientists for investigation on how climate change is affecting them.[16]

The WWF-Canon Kids’ Zone is a microsite that teaches children across Europe about the environmental threats faced by the polar bear. It also helps them to understand how saving power at home and becoming more energy efficient can help save the polar bear from extinction.

[edit] World Press Photo

Canon Europe has been a partner of World Press Photo for sixteen years. World Press Photo promotes the professional standards in photography; organises the largest international contest for professional photojournalists and acts as a worldwide platform for press photography.[17]

[edit] Formula One

Canon Europe was involved in sponsorship of Formula One from 1985–1993, (primarily as title sponsor of Williams F1), and again from 2001–2004. Canon Singapore sponsored Brawn GP for the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix as well as being the title sponsor for the races from 2008 until 2012.

They have also sponsored the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, Quebec.

[edit] In Canada

Canon was the official camera sponsor & provider of Montreal's Olympics Games in 1976.

[edit] In USA

Canon USA has a number of sponsorships, including: PGA TOUR, LPGA TOUR, New York Yankees, United States Open Tennis Tournament, The American Junior Golf Association's Canon Cup, Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge Eisenhower Park Lakeside Theatre Summer Concert Series.[18]

Canon Virginia, located in Newport News, Virginia, is a sister company of Canon USA. Formed in 1985, CVI has two large manufacturing warehouses, the newest unveiled in 2008. In these two warehouses, CVI provides manufacturing for Canon copiers, printers, and cartridges. They also provide reverse manufacturing services for Canon copiers, printers, and cameras. CVI also houses camera repair services for Canon brand digital cameras (both EOS Digital and Powershot), as well as video cameras. CVI's goal is to be responsible for 50% of Canon camera repairs by January 2010.

Since opening their doors to outside business in 2005, Canon Virginia has become the contract manufacturer of choice for a major business computing company, tooled multi-cavity molds for manufacturers large and small, and signed reverse-logistics contracts.

[edit] In Oceania

In 2010 Canon Australia launched the inaugural Canon EOS Festival of Photography. [19] In addition to the Canon EOS Festival of Photography Canon Australia continues to support professional photographers through its ongoing sponsorship of the Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPA).[20]

In New Zealand Canon continued its 4 year association with the Newspaper Publishers' Association (NPA) as new naming rights sponsor of their annual awards now known as the Canon Media Awards [21]

Headquarters

30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, Japan

Canon up to Now

The history of Canon started with the enterprising spirit to make the world's best camera.

A modest beginning in a small room

In 1933, a small laboratory dedicated to making high-quality cameras was set up in a simple apartment room in the Roppongi area of Tokyo. At the time, all high-quality cameras were European with the majority coming from Germany. It was in this small room that young people with a big dream earnestly began their work on producing a high-quality Japanese camera, marking the beginning of Canon. Through hard work and with an enterprising spirit, they eventually succeeded in building a prototype, which was named Kwanon after the Buddhist goddess of mercy. The following year, in 1935, Japan's first-ever 35mm focal-plane-shutter camera, the Hansa Canon, was born, along with the Canon brand.

Striving for the world's best camera

In 1950, Canon's first president, Takeshi Mitarai, went to America for the first time to attend an international trade fair. Having seen modern factories and a high standard of living first hand, upon his return, he built a fireproof factory of steel-reinforced concrete in the Shimomaruko area of Tokyo, which he saw as essential

for Canon to succeed in doing business with the world at large. Mitarai also made clear his respect for humanity by stressing the importance of the San-ji, or Three Selfs spirit, the guiding principle for Canon employees. In 1955, Canon made its first step into the global market with the opening of a U.S. office in New York City. In 1957, Canon set up its sole European distributor, Canon Europa, in Geneva, Switzerland. By 1967 exports already topped 50% of the company's total sales.

The challenge of diversification

Soon after its founding, Canon was hard at work in 1941 on diversifying itself with the introduction of Japan's first indirect X-ray camera and other products. In the 1960s, the company took further steps toward diversification by adding electrical, physical and chemical technologies to its optical and precision technologies. In 1964, Canon entered the office equipment market with the debut of the world's first 10-key electronic calculator. In 1967, the management slogan "cameras in the right hand, business machines in the left" was unveiled and in 1969 the company changed its name from Canon Camera Co., Inc. to Canon Inc. Canon took on the challenge of developing Japan's first plain paper copying machine, which it introduced in 1970, and realized further diversification from one challenging field to the next.

Averting disaster with the Premier Company Plan

By 1970, Canon grew to 44.8 billion yen in sales and more than 5,000 employees. But hit by dollar and oil shocks, followed by problems with a defective electronic calculator display component in 1974, Canon fell on hard times. In the first half of 1975, it failed to pay a dividend for the first time since becoming a public company. In 1976, Canon unveiled its Premier Company Plan, an ambitious strategy to transform Canon into an "excellent global company" through such means as introducing a vertical business group constitution and establishing a horizontal development, production and sales system. The plan proposed high ideals and pooled the strength of its employees, enabling the company to promptly recover.

Canon's second inauguration

Canon continued to grow under the Premier Company Plan. With the dawn of the personal computer age, Canon introduced to the world a series of products never before seen, among them a personal copying machine based on an all-in-one cartridge system, a laser printer with semiconductor laser, and a Bubble Jet inkjet printer. Canon also began promoting global production in earnest on the road to becoming an excellent global company. Then, in 1988, the 51st anniversary of the company's founding, Canon announced its second inauguration and unveiled its corporate philosophy of kyosei, an unfamiliar term at the time. It also began promoting such progressive and environmentally sound activities as toner cartridge recycling in addition to globalizing its development sites.

The Excellent Global Corporation Plan

Canon had developed unprecedented technologies and carefully nurtured them to create business opportunities and products unrivaled by any other company. But by the mid-1990s, the business division system that had been in place since the 1970s was showing signs of wear. Canon also carried debt of more than 840 billion yen, meaning the company needed to improve its financial constitution if it was to carry out long-term R&D projects and launch new businesses. Fujio Mitarai became Canon's 6th company president in 1995, and in 1996 the Excellent Global Corporation Plan was launched. Transforming the corporate mindset from partial to total optimization and from a focus on sales to a focus on profits, the new plan was the start of the innovations that characterize today's Canon.

1933Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory established

1934Kwanon camera prototype developed

1936 Hansa Canon camera introduced

Hansa Canon 35mm focal-plane-shutter camera

1937Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd. founded

1941Japan's first indirect X-ray camera introduced

1947Company name changed to Canon Camera Co., Inc.

1955New York branch office opened

LBP-10, the world's first laser printer with a semiconductor

laser

1982

PC-10/20 personal copying machine introduced

PC-10/20, the world's first personal copying machine with an

all-in-one cartridge system

1985

BJ-80 inkjet printer introduced

BJ-80, the world's first inkjet printer using Bubble Jet

technology

1987 CLC-1 digital full-color

copying machine introduced

1987EOS650 AF SLR camera introduced

1988Corporate philosophy of kyosei introduced with company's second inauguration

1990Toner cartridge collection and recycling program launched

1996Excellent Global Corporation Plan launched

2000Canon Inc. ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange

2000

PowerShot S100 DIGITAL ELPH (DIGITAL IXUS) compact digital camera introduced

PowerShot S100 DIGITAL ELPH (DIGITAL IXUS in other areas) compact digital camera

2000

iR series of network multifunction devices introduced

iR3250 network multifunction device

2002

EOS-1Ds digital SLR camera introduced

EOS-1Ds high-end professional digital SLR camera

2006 imagePROGRAF iPF9000 printer introduced

imagePROGRAF iPF9000 large-format inkjet printer

2007imagePRESS C7000VP digital press introduced

2009imageRUNNER ADVANCE network multifunction device introduced

2011Excellent Global Corporation Plan Phase IV launched

Prologue up to the birth of Canon

1933 - 1961

First five-year plan in preparation

  History of Enterprise History of Products

1933

Canon's predecessor, Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory, is founded in Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, to conduct research into quality cameras.

1934

The Kwanon, Japan's first 35 mm focal-plane-shutter camera, is produced in prototype form.

Kwanon (1934)

1935

The company files for registration of the "Canon" trademark.

1936

The Hansa Canon, a 35 mm focal-plane-shutter camera, is introduced.

1937

Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd. is founded.

1939

In-house production of Serenar Lens commences.

1940

Japan's first indirect X-ray camera is developed.

Indirect X-ray camera (1940)

1942

Takeshi Mitarai is appointed president of Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd.

Takeshi Mitarai

1945

Production commences for the midrange JII focal-plane-shutter camera.

1946

The Ginza Camera Service Station opens. The Canon SII is introduced, receiving great acclaim from ranking officers in the Occupation Forces and foreign buyers in Japan.

1947

The company becomes Canon Camera Co., Inc.Government designates Canon cameras priority exports when Japan resumes export activities.

1949

Canon shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for the first time when postwar stock trading resumes.

The Canon IIB wins first prize at a national camera exhibition held in San Francisco.

1951

Canon concentrates head office and manufacturing plants in Shimomaruko, Ohta-ku, Tokyo.

1952

The Canon IVSb, the world's first speed-light synchronized 35 mm flash-and-shutter camera, is introduced.

1954

Canon and the NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories jointly develop a television camera to prepare for the commencement of television broadcasting.

1955

Canon's New York branch office is opened.

1956

Supplier of precision components Chichibu Eikosha Co., Ltd. (today, Canon Electronics Inc.) becomes a Canon affiliate.

The Canon 8T, an 8 mm cinecamera, is introduced.

1957

Canon Europa, the sole European distributor, is established in Geneva.

The Canon L1 still camera and Canon 8T 8 mm cine-camera become the first products to receive the Good Design product designation awarded by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

1958

A field zoom lens for television broadcasting is introduced.

1959

Through a tie-up with Documat Inc. of the U.S., Canon enters the micrographics market.Canon enters the market for magnetic heads.

The Canon Flex, Canon's first SLR camera, is introduced.The Synchroreader is introduced.

1960

Canon develops a magnetic head for use in VTRs.

1961

The company's main factory in Toride (today, the Toride Plant) is completed.

"Electric-eye" boom is sparked by the introduction of the Canonet.Canon completes Japan's first rotary microfilm system.

History of Enterprise

History of Products

1962

Canon develops its first five-year plan in preparation for full-fledged entry into the business machine market.Canon Latin America, the company's sole distributor for Latin America, is established in Panama.

1963

Canon SA Geneva is established. By abolishing the sole-distributor system, Canon moves to a new sales system, with outlets under the direct control of the headquarters in Tokyo.

Canon starts work on optical fiber development.An X-ray mirror camera is introduced.

1964

Tamagawa factory (today, the Tamagawa Office) opens, producing 8 mm movie cameras and lenses.

The Canola 130, the world's first 10-key electronic calculator, is introduced.

Canola 130 (1964)

1965Canon U.S.A., Inc., is established. Canon enters the copying machine

field with the introduction of the Canofax 1000.

1967

The 30th anniversary slogan-"Cameras in the Right Hand, Business Machines in the Left"-is announced.The ratio of exports to net sales surpasses 50%.Canon Latin America, Inc., is established.

1968 Canon Business Machines Sales, Inc., is established in Japan.

The Canon NP System, the original electrophotography technology, is

Canon Amsterdam N.V. (today, Canon Europa N.V.) is established.

introduced and Canon enters the plain-paper copier (PPC) market.Canon Electronics is successful in the mass production of four-track, four-channel stereo recording heads.

1969

The company's name is changed to Canon Inc.Canon Camera Sales Co., Inc., is founded for Japanese marketing.The Canon Research Center is established in Meguro, Tokyo.Fukushima Canon Inc. is established as a camera manufacturing plant.

1970

Canon Inc., Taiwan, Canon's first manufacturing facility outside of Japan, is established.Canon enters the market for personal calculators.

The NP-1100, Japan's first PPC, is introduced.

NP-1100 (1970)The PPC-1, Japan's first mask aligner, is announced.

PPC-1 (1970)

1971

Canon Business Machines Sales, Inc., and Canon Camera Sales Co., Ltd., merge to form Canon Sales Co., Inc.

The Canon F-1, a top-end SLR camera, and FD lenses are introduced.The BP-1000 billing machine is introduced. Canon enters the field of office computers.

1972Canon Giessen GmbH, Canon's first European manufacturing site, is established in Germany.

The NP-70, the world's first PPC with the liquid-dry system, is introduced.

1973 Canon Deutschland GmbH is established.

Japan's first full-color PPC is introduced.A macro zoom lens for cinematography wins an Academy

Award in the science and technology category from the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

1974

Takeo Maeda is appointed president of Canon Inc.Canon Business Machines, Inc., is established in California, U.S.A.Optron, Inc. (today, Canon Optron, Inc.) is established.

The Canonac 100 and 500 office computers are introduced.The Communicator, a portable "tape-writer" for the speech impaired, is announced.Canon initiates sales of the Optacon, an electronic reader for the blindee.

1975Canon France S.A.S. is established. Canon succeeds in developing a laser

printer.

History of Enterprise

History of Products

1976

The first Premier Company Plan is launched.A committee is established to discuss Canon development, production and sales systems.The Kosugi office opens as a base for optical equipment.Canon (U.K.) Ltd. is established.Canon enters the facsimile machine market.

The AE-1 SLR camera with a built-in microcomputer is introduced, triggering an AE boom.The CR-45NM, the world's first nonmydriatic retinal camera, is introduced

1977 Ryuzaburo Kaku is appointed president of Canon Inc.

The K-35 series of lenses for cinematography wins an Academy Award from the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Ryuzaburo Kaku

The Utsunomiya plant of Tochigi Canon Inc. (today, Canon Inc.'s Utsunomiya Plant) opens.

1978

A product-specific business division structure is introduced.Canon Australia Pty. Ltd. is established.Canon begins offering color copying services.

The NP-8500, the world's first retention-type copying machine, is introduced.The PLA-500FA, the world's first mask aligner with a laser-based automatic alignment system, is introduced

1979

Copyer Co., Ltd. becomes an affiliated company.Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd. is established.Overseas sales exceed ¥100 billion for the first time.

The LBP-10, using a semiconductor laser, is introduced.

LBP-10 (1979)

The AF35M, a fully automatic AF compact camera, is introduced. A mini floppy disk drive is introduced.

1980

  The Canoword 55 Japanese-language word processor, the first such product with roman alphabet inputting, is introduced.

Canoword 55 (1980)

The Telefax B-601, Japan's first G2 fax, is introduced.The Auto Ref R-1, an automatic refractometer, is introduced.

1981 The Hiratsuka Plant opens as the Component Development Center.The Ami Plant opens as a precision equipment factory for the

The NP-8500 SUPER, an ultrahigh-speed copying machine capable of producing 135 copies per minute, is introduced.

manufacture of facsimiles and precision molds.The Ueno Plant opens as a copying machine and laser printer chemical product manufacturing factory.

The New F-1, a professional-use system SLR, is introduced.A CVC video system is introduced.

1982

The Second Premier Company Plan is launched.Oita Canon Inc. is established in Japan.

The PC-10 and PC-20, the world's first personal copying machines with replaceable cartridges, are introduced.The HT-3000 handy terminal is introduced.The AS-100 16-bit personal computer is introduced.The AP400 and AP500 electronic typewriters (for Western languages) are introduced.The Crib-O-Gram, an audio-visual tester for infants, is introduced

1983

Canon Bretagne S.A.S. is established in France.The Utsunomiya Optical Products Plant opens as a factory to manufacture mask aligners and peripheral equipment.

The CanoWord Mini 5 personal-use word processor is introduced.The MyCard, credit card-sized calculator, is introduced.The T50 SLR camera is introduced and wins Japan's 1983 Good Design Grand Prize.

1984 A joint technology agreement is signed in the PRC; copying machine production starts at facilities in Zhanjiang and Tianjin.Canon Components, Inc. is established in Japan.

The PC Printer 70 is introduced as the world's first plain-paper reader/printer for COM.Canon announces laser beam facsimile machines.Practical tests of a still video camcorder are conducted at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.The digital laser copying machine system NP-9030 is introduced.The LBP-8/CX, the world's smallest and lightest laser printer, is introduced.

LBP-8 (1984)

The FPA-1500FA stepper for 1MDRAM is introduced.The PV14 x 12.5B HD, a zoom lens for high-definition television, is announced.

1985

Canon Virginia, Inc., is established in the U.S.A.A tie-up agreement related to computer technology is concluded with Hewlett-Packard Co. of the U.S.Lotte Canon Co., Ltd. (today, Canon Korea Business Solutions Inc.), a joint venture, is established in the ROK.

The BJ-80, the world's first inkjet printer using Bubble Jet technology, is introduced.The Canofile 5500 electronic filing system is introduced.The EZPS5300 electronic editing and printing system is introduced.The Canovision 8 VM-E1, an 8 mm video camcorder, is introduced.

1986

A tie-up agreement covering ISDN fax interface technology is concluded with Siemens AG of Germany.A tie-up agreement covering advanced medical equipment is concluded with Eastman Kodak Co. of the U.S.

The FC-3 and FC-5 portable personal-use copying machines are introduced.

FC-3 (1986)

The FAX L3100, conforming to the G4 standard, is introduced.The Canola BP1210-D, a Bubble Jet desktop calculator, is introduced.The T90 high-performance electronic SLR camera is introduced.The RC-701, the world's first still video camera, and video system is introduced.Sales begin for the Auto Keratometer RK-1, which can measure both refractivity and corneal shape.Canon's Corner Cube Reflector is installed in the Ajisai geodetic satellite.

1987 The Canon Foundation is established to provide assistance for research into mutual understanding between Japan and Europe.Canon licenses camera technologies to GoldStar Precision of Korea,

The CLC-1, a digital full-color copying machine, is introduced.The EOS autofocus SLR camera is introduced, along with a range of EF lenses.The Board Copier A-1, an electronic

which begins production. blackboard that can print on plain paper, is introduced.Sales of the CanoWord α series Japanese word processor begin.

EOS650 (1987)

Canon launches a broadcasting lens with 50x zoom, then the highest zoom ratio in the world. Sales of CAPLAS, a CAE software application for use in injection molding, commence.

History of Enterprise

History of Products

1988

Canon announces its second inauguration with the launch of the First Global Corporation Plan, which introduces the corporate philosophy of kyosei .Canon Research Centre Europe Ltd. is established in the U.K.Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. is established.Canon Business Machines de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. is established.Nagahama Canon Inc. is established in Japan.Canon becomes the first Japanese company to qualify for an in-house certification system using the CSA mark (Canadian electrical safety standard).PC series personal-use copying machine production reaches 2 million units.

The Color Bubble Jet Copier A1 is introduced.Sales of Canon's optical disk system commence.Sales commence for the FAX 705, with Canon's GENESIS digital image-processing technology.The RC-760 still video camera incorporating a 600,000 pixel CCD, the world's largest, is introduced.The Q-PIC floppy disk camera is introduced.

1989

Keizo Yamaji is appointed president of Canon Inc.Canon acquires equity in NeXT Inc. of the U.S., in exchange for sales rights for the Far East.Canon Dalian Business Machines, Inc., is established in the PRC.NP copying machine production reaches 5 million units.

The CLC500 color laser copying machine is introduced.

CLC500 (1989)The Ai Note IN-3000, a PDA with handwritten input capability, is introduced.The EOS-1, a top-of-the-line autofocus SLR camera, is introduced.The A1 (A1Hi in other regions), an 8 mm video camcorder with high-end specifications, is introduced.

1990

Canon forms the Environment Assurance Promotion Committee.Canon launches its toner cartridge recycling system.Canon Information Systems, Inc., is established in the U.S.A.Canon Research Center America, Inc., is established.Canon Information Systems Research Australia Pty. Ltd. is established.Canon Information Systems R&D Europe Ltd. (today, Canon Research Centre France S.A.S.) is established.Canon Zhuhai, Inc. is established in the PRC.Canon Hi-Tech (Thailand) Ltd. is established.Niigata Canotech Co., Inc. (today, Canon Imaging Systems Inc.) is established.

The NP9800, the world's first high-speed copying machine to incorporate fuzzy logic, is introduced.The BJ-10 series of notebook-size inkjet printers is introduced.

BJ-10v (1990)The Canofile 250, an electronic filing system using magneto-optical disks, is introduced.The FPA-2000i1, an i-line stepper, is introduced.

1991

TECH Semiconductor Singapore, Pte. Ltd., a joint venture company with Texas Instruments, Hewlett-Packard and the government of Singapore, is established.Canon wins the first Chairman's Award from the National Geographic Society for commencing the collection and recycling of toner cartridges.

Canon succeeds in developing the world's first display based on ferroelectric liquid crystal display (FLCD) technology.The L1 (EX1Hi in other regions), an 8 mm video camcorder with interchangeable lenses conforming to the VL-mount standard, is introduced.

1992

Canon Seiko Co., Ltd. and Canon Chemical Co., Inc. merge to form Canon Chemicals Inc.Canon Electronic Business Machines (H.K.) Co., Ltd. begins operations.Laser printer production reaches 10 million units.Toner cartridge production reaches 100 million units.

Canon develops world's first 1-chip LSI featuring complete conformance with the JBIG (Joint Bilevel Image Group) advanced digital image compression scheme.Canon and the NHK Engineering Service Foundation jointly develop a high-speed camera conforming to the Hi-Vision format.The CLC550, the world's first copying machine with anti-forgery technology, is introduced.The GP55, a digital copying machine combining superior image quality with computer compatibility, is introduced.Sales begin for the NP6030 copying machine, with an ecological design.Canon's first full-color inkjet printer, BJC-820, is introduced.The EOS 5, the world's first eye-controlled AF SLR camera, is introduced.The T10G-RF, a video camcorder lens with image stabilizer using Canon's Vari-Angle Prism, is introduced.

1993

Hajime Mitarai is appointed president of Canon Inc.The Second Global Corporation Plan is initiated.Canon Group Environmental Charter is established.Copying machine production reaches 10 million units.

Canon and IBM Japan, Ltd. jointly develop the world's first notebook-size personal computer with a built-in printer.The Pixel Jet S, a full-color inkjet copying machine, is introduced.The EOS REBEL XS (EOS 500 in other regions), a lightweight, compact SLR camera with built-in flash, is introduced.

1994 Canon and IBM Corp. of the U.S. form tie-ups for the development and production of small computers using the PowerPC range of chips.The 5,000th mask aligner is produced.Inkjet printer production reaches 10 million units.

The Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation rewards Canon with the Imperial Award for Innovations for its Bubble Jet printing system.The world's first automatic-duplexing color laser copying machine, the CLC800, is introduced.The Movie Boy E1 video camcorder with eye-controlled focusing and optical image

stabilizer is introduced.

1995

Fujio Mitarai is appointed president of Canon Inc.

Fujio MitaraiCanon forms the CS (customer satisfaction) Promotion Committee.Canon, in a first for a Japanese company, earns certification under the BS7750 international environmental standard for its Ami and Ueno plants.Toner cartridge collection reaches 10 million units.Custom Integrated Technology, Inc., a remanufacturing site for copying machines, is established in Virginia, U.S.A.

After a 34-year hiatus, Canon reenters the binocular market with its 12X36 IS model, which compensates for hand-shake by incorporating Canon's Vari-Angle Prism.Canon's first digital SLR camera, EOS DCS 3, is introduced.The world's first FLCD is commercialized.The EF75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, the world's first camera lens with image stabilizer, is introduced.The CLC1000, a high-speed, full-color copying machine with four photosensitive drums, is introduced.

CLC1000 (1995)The SURE SHOT DEL SOL (PRIMA SOL in other regions), the world's first fully solar-powered camera, is introduced.

The first Premier Company Plan is launched

The Excellent Global Corporation Plan is initiated

History of Enterprise

History of Products

1996 The Excellent Global Corporation Plan is initiated.The Fuji-Susono Research Park opens in Susono, Japan.Industrial Resource Technologies, Inc., a toner cartridge-recycling site, is established in Virginia, U.S.A.Canon Latin America, Inc. moves to Miami, U.S.A.

The ELPH (IXUS in other regions), a 2x zoom compact camera with the Advanced Photo System, is introduced.

ELPH / IXUS (1996)

Canon Virginia ships its 5,000th remanufactured copying machine.

Marketing commences for the FPA-3000EX3 stepper, which uses an excimer laser.

1997

A new building is opened in the Kosugi Office of Canon Inc. as a base for business solutions and information technology activities.Tianjin Canon Co., Ltd., a copying machine manufacturing site, is established in the PRC.Green Procurement standards, promoting the purchase of environmentally friendly components and materials, are issued.Canon (China) Co., Ltd. is established.Canon North-East Oy is established in Finland to expand markets in Baltic states and the CIS.Camera production reaches 100 million units.

Canon enters the digital video camcorder market with the OPTURA (MV1 in other regions).

1998

Canon forms the Management Reformation Committee.Canon commences Group-wide production reform activities.Copying machine remanufacturing commences in Japan. Canon thus maintains such operations in Europe, the U.S. and Japan.Canon Software Development Center is established in New Delhi, India.Canon Inc. acquires equity in Tokyo Denshi Sekei Inc. (today, Canon i-tech, Inc.)Beijing PeCan Information System Co., Ltd. (today, Canon Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.), a joint venture with Peking University, is established to develop software.Canon Middle East B.V. is established in the U.A.E.

The DIGISUPER 25 xs broadcasting lens for high-definition television (HDTV) is introduced.The EOS-3 SLR camera with 45-point area AF is introduced for professionals and semiprofessionals.Marketing begins for the CXDI-11 X-ray digital camera, with a large-area sensor.

1999

The Ayase Office opens with the goal of reinforcing the R&D structure for semiconductor-related devices.Oita Canon Materials Inc. is established.

Canon optical technologies are applied in the Subaru, one of the world's largest astronomical telescopes.The BJC-8200 full-color inkjet printer is introduced, featuring a new printing head technology, New "MicroFine Droplet Technology."The compact GT270 eyeglass display is introduced.

2000

Canon Inc. begins listing its American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Canon holds Canon Expo 2000 global technology and product exhibitions.The Optics R&D Center opens in Utsunomiya, Japan.Canon receives the Miles Supreme Award from the Society of Japanese Value Engineering.

Canon receives the prestigious Copier of the Future IEA-DSM Award of Excellence.The PowerShot S100 DIGITAL ELPH (DIGITAL IXUS in other regions), a compact digital camera, is introduced.The EOS D30 digital SLR camera is introduced, featuring a CMOS sensor.The iR series new-generation network MFD is introduced, providing document collation and distribution functions.

2001 Phase II of the Excellent Global Corporation Plan is initiated.Canon forms the Management Strategy Committee.Canon Europe Ltd. is established in London to cooperate with Canon Europa N.V. in the Netherlands to reinforce regional operations.Canon Vietnam Co., Ltd. is established in Hanoi as a production site for inkjet printers.Three companies in the Canon Group establish a copying machine production site in Suzhou, PRC.Canon Zhongshan Business Machines Co., Ltd, the Group's third laser printer production site in the PRC, is

Canon develops Multi-Layered Diffractive Optical Element technology.Canon introduces the first "camera direct" products, which allow digital pictures to be printed using an inkjet printer directly from a camera.The imageRUNNER 3300 (iR3300 in other regions), featuring environmentally conscious technologies, is introduced.

imageRUNNER 3300 (2001)

established.Canon Information Systems, Inc. and Canon R&D Center Americas, Inc. merge to form Canon Development Americas, Inc.

2002

Fujio Mitarai, Canon Inc. president and CEO, is one of the first executives to receive a Business Reformer Commendation from the Japanese government.Canon Inc.'s new headquarters building opens in Shimomaruko, Tokyo.Ueno Canon Materials, Inc. is established.

The LBP-2810/2710 color laser printer, featuring the newly developed Four-Color Vertical In-Line Engine, is introduced.The Color imageRUNNER C3200 (iR C3200 in other regions), a color network MFD with a newly developed Color iR Controller, is introduced.The EOS-1Ds pro-model digital SLR camera, featuring Canon's 11.1-megapixel full-frame 35 mm CMOS sensor, is introduced.

2003 Canon Aptex Inc. and Copyer Co., Ltd. merge to form Canon Finetech Inc.Fukushima Canon Inc. is established as a base for high value-added mass production for the inkjet printer business.Canon (China) Co., Ltd. establishes 15 branch offices.Canon Technology Information Services Inc. is established.Implementation of an eco-friendly product transport modal shift begins.

The DIGISUPER 100 xs broadcasting lens, featuring the world's highest zoom lens range is introduced.

DIGISUPER 100 xs (2003)The i70 (Bubble Jet i70 in other regions), an ultra-compact inkjet notebook printer, is introduced. The W8200, a large-format printer using pigmented ink, is introduced.Canon begins shipping the 80-nanometer resolution ArF scanning stepper FPA-6000AS4.The EOS DIGITAL REBEL (EOS 300D DIGITAL in other regions), a high-resolution compact digital SLR AF camera, is introduced.The PowerShot S400 DIGITAL ELPH (DIGITAL IXUS 400 in other regions), which incorporates the DIGIC imaging processor, is introduced.The Color imageRUNNER C6800 (iR C6800 in

other regions), a new color network MFD, which implements RoHS Directive in advance, is introduced.

2004

Canon changes the stock trading unit from 1,000 shares to 100 shares.Canon holds its first briefing for individual investors.Canon establishes SED Inc. for the purpose of developing, manufacturing, and marketing SED panels.The Yako Development Center is completed for the concentration of R&D sections of inkjet printers.Canon Precision Inc. merges with Hirosaki Seiki, Inc.Canon creates Canon Ecology Industry Inc. and Canon Semiconductor Equipment Inc. from Canon N.T.C., Inc.Canon Ru LLC is established in Moscow, Russia.Igari Mold Co., Ltd. becomes a wholly owned subsidiary through a share exchange.Inkjet printer shipments reach 100 million units.

The OPTURA500 (MVX35i in other regions) digital camcorder, which incorporates the DIGIC DV imaging processor that delivers high image quality for still photos and video, is introduced.The PIXMA iP8500 inkjet printer featuring an all new design and the ChromaLife100 system is introduced.

PIXMA iP8500 (2004)The multimedia projector REALiS SX50 (XEED SX50 in other regions), an LCD projector incorporating the newly developed AISYS optical system, is introduced.

2005 Canon holds Canon Expo 2005, a showcase for Canon's new products and future technologies, in New York, Paris, and Tokyo.The Compliance Card is distributed to 110,000 Canon Group employees.Construction of a leading-edge technology building at the Canon headquarters in Shimomaruko, is completed.Canon concludes a corporative research agreement with Tokyo Institute of Technology.Canon and Microsoft Corporation of the U.S. agree to collaborate in the field of

The XL H1 high-definition video camcorder is introduced.

image processing technology.The Canon Group obtains combined ISO14001 certification.Canon receives its second Imperial Award for Innovations for the invention of a large-screen sensor for real-time Xray imaging systems.ANELVA Corporation and NEC Machinery Corporation are made consolidated subsidiaries.

2006 Tsuneji Uchida is appointed president of Canon Inc.A new corporate structure with Fujio Mitarai as chairman begins.

Tsuneji UchidaChairman Fujio Mitarai is appointed the second chairman of Japan Business Federation.Canon launches Phase IIl of the Excellent Global Corporation Plan.Canon Inc. effects a 3-for-2 split of its common shares.Canon Sales Co., Inc. changes its name to Canon Marketing Japan Inc.Canon opens the Canon Global Management Institute, a training base for the cultivation of global leaders.Canon commences cooperative research and development with Kyoto University on the High-Order Biological Imaging Leading-Edge Technology Hub project.Canon and Utsunomiya University agree to establish an education and research center for optics.

The PowerShot SD800 IS DIGITAL ELPH (DIGITAL IXUS 850 IS in other regions), incorporating the DIGIC III and Face Detection Technology, is introduced.The HV10 HDV camcorder, which incorporates a newly developed CMOS sensor for video and supports the digital Hi-Vision format, is introduced.The PIXMA MP600, equipped with an Easy-Scroll Wheel for intuitive operation of multiple functions, is introduced.The SELPHY ES1 compact photo printer is introduced.The imagePROGRAF iPF9000 (iPF9000 in other regions), which incorporates the newly developed LUCIA twelve-color ink system and supports 60-inch large format prints, is introduced.The imagePRESS C1, a digital color production system for commercial printing, is introduced.

Canon ANELVA wins the Japan Vacuum Industry Association Chairman's Award for its HDD head sensor.Canon Optron, Inc. delivers one of the world's largest fluorite lenses for use at a major U.S. astrophysical observatory.

2007

Canon supports The Japan-China Exchange Year of Culture and Sports 2007.Tokki Corporation, which develops, designs, manufactures, and sells OLED panel manufacturing equipment, becomes a Canon consolidated subsidiary.Canon Mold Co., Ltd. is established, integrating Canon's mold die operations.Canon carries out its first-ever market purchase of own shares.Canon successfully develops a 50-megapixel CMOS sensor prototype.The Kawasaki Office opens.Canon Launches the Cultural Heritage Inheritance Project (also known as the Tsuzuri Project) with the Kyoto Culture Association.Canon opens Takeshi Mitarai Memorial Hall at Shimomaruko Headquarters.

The MPAsp-H700 mirror projection aligner with new platform for 8th-generation substrates is introduced.The EOS-1Ds Mark III digital SLR camera with 35mm fullframe, 21.1 mega-pixel CMOS sensor and 5 fps maximum shooting is introduced.The PIXMA Pro9500, a photo inkjet printer for professionals using 10 pigment ink, is introduced.The imagePROGRAF iPF6100, the world's first large-format printer with an ambient light adjustment function, is introduced.The HG10 HD camcorder with built-in hard disk is introduced.Canon makes a full-scale entry into the commercial digital printer market by introducing the imagePRESS C7000VP.The printer wins the Masuda Award of the 50th Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Best 10 New Products Awards.

2008 Canon becomes an equity participant in Hitachi Displays, Ltd.Hita Canon Materials Inc. is established.Nagasaki Canon Inc. is established.The Canon Institute for Global Studies and the Canon Foundation are established.A Canon ANELVA researcher receives the 6th Prime Minister's Award for contributions in Industry-Academia-Government Collaborations.SLR camera production reaches 50

The REALiS SX80 (XEED SX80 in other regions), a liquid crystal projector equipped with Canon's proprietary LCOS reflective crystal panel, is introduced.The EOS 5D Mark II, the first camera ever to incorporate full HD video, is introduced.

million units.Compact digital camera production reaches 100 million units.

EOS 5D Mark II (2008)The PowerShot SX1 IS, Canon's first compact digital camera equipped with its proprietary CMOS sensor, is introduced.

2009

All headquarters functions of Canon Europe are consolidated in London.Canon and HP enter a new alliance agreement in the solution area.Canon Athlete Club Kyushu is established.Poppins Nursery TAMAGAWA, a day care center authorized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, opens on the grounds of Canon's Shimomaruko Headquarters.Affiliate Canon Wind Inc. is officially recognized for meeting legal standards in promoting the employment of people with disabilities.Canon Virginia opens a new plant for toner cartridge production.EF lens production reaches 50 million units.CXDI digital radiography system production reaches 10,000 units.

The VIXIA HF20 (LEGRIA HF20 in other regions) highdefinition digital camcorder with DIGIC DV III is introduced.The EOS 7D digital SLR camera with up to 8 fps continuous shooting and ISO 12800 is introduced.The PIXMA MP640 (MP648 in other regions) inkjet MFP with A4 printing at approx. 8.1 ipm is introduced.The imageRUNNER ADVANCE series of next-generation office network MFPs with enhanced IT environment integration is introduced.

imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5051 (2009)The PowerShot S90 compact digital camera with largediameter f/2.0 and 28 mm wide-angle lens is introduced.EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens with new Hybrid IS that compensates for both angular and shift camera shake is introduced.The CX-1 hybrid retinal camera that combines both mydriatic and non-mydriatic modes is introduced.

2010

Oce N.V. of the Netherlands becomes a Canon consolidated subsidiary.OPTOPOL Technology S.A. of Poland becomes a Canon consolidated subsidiary.

Canon and Fujitsu agree to collaborate on managed services.

Launch of the First Global Corporation Plan

Message from Top Management

Undertaking new challenges that will transform Canon into a global business leader.

In 2011, Canon launched Phase IV of the Excellent Global Corporation Plan. In an age when global business faces ever-fiercer competition, our new medium-to-long-term management initiative enables us to tackle the challenge of achieving sound growth through transformation tailored to the changing times.

We launched the Excellent Global Corporation Plan in 1996 under our corporate philosophy of kyosei with the goal of becoming a truly excellent global company admired and respected the world over. Seeking to grow and prosper over the next 100, or even 200, years, we have carried out countless management reforms and innovations over the 15 years since the Plan was introduced. As a result, we have built a solid financial structure that has earned Canon a position among the world's top 100 companies in terms of market capitalization.

Reforms are undertaken to resolve a problem. Reforming, however, differs from transforming. Transformation targets substantive change and progress. To take advantage of opportunities created by rapid changes in the business environment, we are transforming Canon with an eye toward the next generation. At the same time, we will continue to use conventional reforms to develop our corporate activities under the six major strategies outlined in Phase IV of our Excellent Global Corporation Plan.

Through a concerted effort across the entire Canon Group, we aim to realize a rapid transformation that will astonish the world, creating an entirely new Canon over the next five years.

As we move forward, we appreciate your continued understanding and support.

In Phase Ⅳ of the Excellent Global Corporation Plan, we have set for ourselves the goal of joining the ranks of the world's top 100 companies in terms of all major management indicators by 2015.In 2011, the first year of Phase Ⅳ, we are undertaking several new endeavors that capitalize on the momentum we generated last year, which we deemed the “first year in a new era of growth.”Our first key strategy in Phase Ⅳ is to achieve the overwhelming No.1 position in all of our core businesses worldwide. Toward this end, we are promoting our “cross-media imaging” strategy, which employs our business and technological strengths in imaging input and output. In addition, we aim to expand our fields of business through the development of advanced solution services.In our ongoing efforts targeting globally optimized production, Canon continues to pursue in-house production and automation, as well as information-sharing at every operational stage from development to sales. Additionally, further IT innovations will enable us to eliminate all forms of waste, and we will also boost our ability to respond flexibly to fluctuations in the market. On the sales front, we are focusing more attention on Asian and other emerging markets while strengthening our partnership with new Canon Group member Océ.As we aim to become a truly excellent global company, throughout all of our business operations and activities, we place top priority on environmental consideration, quality control, compliance, social contribution, fulfillment of CSR, and the cultivation of personnel that can make a difference in the world.We look forward to your continued understanding and support.

Kyosei:Canon corporate philosophyThe corporate philosophy of Canon is kyosei. A concise definition of this word would be “Living and working together for the common good, ” but our definition is broader: “All people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future. ” Unfortunately, the presence of imbalances in our world in such areas as trade, income levels and the environment hinders the achievement of kyosei.Through corporate activities based on kyosei, Canon strives to resolve imbalances in the world. Truly global companies must foster good relations, not only with their customers and the communities in which they operate, but also with nations and the environment. They must also bear the responsibility for the impact of their activities on society. For this reason, Canon's goal is to contribute to global prosperity and the well-being of mankind, which will lead to continuing growth and bring the world closer to achieving kyosei.

Canon nowFounded on the innovations of today, Canon targets a future further ahead.

Eye on future

Digital SLR Movies

EOS cameras have the photographic power to break into the world of movie and television.

A movie-making EOS Digital SLR camera in action. In response to professional demand, new accessories and attachments have been developed for EOS cameras.

Video shooting using digital EOS in the United States.

Canon's 35mm full-size sensor satisfies the high demands of professionals for creative expression.

Have you noticed a particularly striking image in a movie or TV program recently? Perhaps you were impressed by how clearly a character stood out against a blurred background, or surprised at how a nighttime scene appeared sharp and true to life.If so, there is a good chance the scene was shot with a Canon EOS digital SLR camera.

Today, professional movie and TV program directors around the world use the movie-shooting function of EOS cameras to produce their work. In Hollywood, the high image quality and ultra-mobility of EOS cameras have led these professionals to adopt digital SLR cameras in the production of movies and popular TV dramas.

The 35mm full-size image sensor Canon developed for EOS digital cameras has high light sensitivity, which enables bright and accurate image capture.

Since EOS cameras are small, lightweight and highly mobile compared with conventional movie and TV cameras, they can be used in a wider range of situations, giving free rein to a director's creative impulses. In addition, more than 60 lenses are available for use with EOS cameras to further expand the creative possibilities in the production of movies and TV programs.

Given that digital cameras have already made inroads into the movie industry, it is perhaps easy to forget that their history spans a brief 20 years. Compared with the 200-year history of film cameras, digital camera technology is still very much in its infancy.

Through new innovations, Canon is committed to meeting the ever-growing expectations for digital cameras.

Global Diversification

With the arrival of Océ into the Canon Group, the printer world just grew larger.

R&D stage of a digital production printer. Like Canon, Océ is a technology-driven company.

Océ's global headquarters in Venlo, the Netherlands. Océ has a history spanning more than 130 years and operates in over 100 countries and regions.

Océ staff is trained to sell and service Canon products in Océ's home town of Venlo. Océ's direct sales channels are a strong addition to the Canon network.

What does the word “printer” bring to mind? Inkjet printers for home use that create beautiful photographs? Or perhaps office-use printers that make use of so-called electro-photographic printing? Canon has long been an industry leader for such printers through the high image quality that Canon technology achieves. There are, however, other segments in which printers play active roles.

For example, there are high-speed printers capable of printing 1,000 pages per minute. There are wide-format printers that can print on film for outdoor signage. The world of printers is even expanding into the industrial printing domain.

Aiming to realize the No.1 position worldwide in all core businesses, in 2010 Canon welcomed Océ N.V. of the Netherlands into the Canon Group. With its broad portfolio of cutsheet, continuous-feed and wide-format printers, Océ is an innovator in digital document management and delivery. To date, Canon has produced its own electro-photographic printers and wide-format inkjet printers for industrial use, gaining a reputation for their durability and reliability.

Amid today's increasing globalization and digitization, the compelling combination of Canon and Océ aims to create the global leader in the printing industry by capitalizing on a complementary fit in product mix, channel mix, R&D and business lines, thereby offering customers the products and service they demand and deserve.

Furthermore, Océ's competitive leadership in R&D plays an important role in Canon's management goal of achieving “globalized diversification” through the establishment of R&D centers in three regions — Japan, the U.S. and Europe.

Synergy with partners will become even more important for Canon to create value in the future.

New Business Domain: Medical

The day when doctors can detect the first signs of illness during a routine checkup is approaching.

This AO-SLO device enables detailed retinal examinations. Joint research is underway at Kyoto University Hospital.

R&D at OPTOPOL Technology in Poland. The company is a world leader in the field of OCT.

Canon digital radiography equipment used for X-ray exams at a hospital specializing in sports medicine in Bordeaux, France.

Advanced imaging technology offers the promise of breakthroughs in medical diagnosis. Focusing on the retina, it can reveal each photoreceptor cell and show dynamic images of blood flow. The development of this technology could enable doctors to spot signs of eye diseases and glean insight into lifestyle-related diseases.

Such technologies, in fact, are already in development through the CK Project, a joint research project between Canon and Kyoto University, which conducts clinical research for the commercialization of leading-edge medical imaging technologies.

The CK Project supported the establishment of the Advanced Medical Device Development and Clinical Research Center, which works with Kyoto University to develop equipment for its clinical research. Already under development is optical ultrasound mammography, which can facilitate the very early detection of breast cancer, from which there is a 95% recovery rate when caught early.

Although commonly associated with enjoyment, Canon's imaging technology is opening new business paths in the medical industry. Digital radiography, for instance, enables the confirmation of X-ray images seconds after exposure. Boosting resolution and sensitivity, Canon is targeting the No.1 spot in the industry.

On other fronts, OPTOPOL Technology S.A., a Canon Group Company since 2010, works with Canon to develop leading-edge optical coherence tomography and other ophthalmic diagnostic equipment. In the U.S., Canon is involved in operation test research with universities for the commercialization of DNA diagnostic devices that may shed new light on the efficacy and side effects of pharmaceuticals.

In these ways, Canon is applying leading-edge imaging technology toward making people's lives healthier.

Production at Optimum Locations Worldwide

“Made in America.” That was the most rational answer.

Preparing parts delivery in the new production plant. Parts are mostly supplied in the Americas.

Canon Virginia is located in the eastern United States. The new factory has 700,000 square feet of floor space.

To ensure excellent quality, strict inspections are conducted on parts as well as finished products.

A key component of laser beam printers used in homes and offices worldwide is the toner cartridge, which consolidates all parts that require routine maintenance into one unit and whose design is so simple that a typical user can easily replace it.Canon invented the toner cartridge and went on to play a major role in popularizing the laser beam printer for its ease of use and high-quality imaging performance.

Over the years, global demand for laser beam printers grew to the point where Canon needed a new factory to meet it. But where would the factory be built? To answer that question, it is important to understand Canon's focus on “globally optimized production”—a system which factors in all issues related to an item's production, including quality, cost, parts procurement, work force, delivery time, relevant product characteristics, and environmental considerations, and selects the most rational location for production.

For laser beam printers, the most rational location appeared obvious: Canon Virginia. After all, the United States is the world's largest consumer of the printers. Moreover, Canon Virginia was already as recycling base for toner cartridges, and it had a highly trained workforce and an effective distribution system.

Canon's automated production technologies ensure high-quality production even for products built outside Japan. Consequently, a laser beam printer's entire “product lifecycle”—production, sales, recovery, and recycling—can be fulfilled within the United States. Canon Virginia helps to ensure an effective use of resources by minimizing waste in production and slashing CO2 emissions from distribution.

Knowing that earth-friendly production is vital for the future, Canon relentlessly continues its focus on globally optimized production.

Strengthening Sales in China

A love for more beautiful prints.

From Shanghai, a wave of high image quality spreads across China.

A multifunction inkjet printer in a Shanghai office. Demand for such products is estimated to rise.

A new Quick Service Station (QSS) in Xi'an. One of its merits is faster customer service.

Sales promotion events are held every weekend, allowing consumers to see Canon's high image quality first hand.

For years, China—now the world's second largest economy—has experienced steadily growing sales in IT and digital markets. But the inkjet printer is one product that until recently had achieved little market penetration.

Early on, inkjet printers sold in China were used primarily for the printing of black-and-white business documents. While in many countries around the world people used inkjet printers to create beautiful color output at home, Chinese consumers were reluctant at first.

But as the economy grew, the tide shifted. With Shanghai at the center, sales of inkjet printers have begun to expand in east China. Canon detected the growing demand for higher-quality images at home and in 2010 shifted the headquarters function for its inkjet business from Beijing to Shanghai.

To promote inkjet printers, Canon conducts photo-printing demonstrations at shopping centers. Linking the printers' brand image to that of the company's highly respected cameras has shifted perceptions. Other sales and marketing strategies have included targeting government agencies and corporations and the establishment of nationwide sales channels, including IT malls, electronics retail stores and large supermarkets. Canon has also built an online sales presence.

As inkjet printer sales have grown, sales of high-end printers have also risen sharply, further indicating how important image quality is today.

Riding the wave of interest in high-quality image capture and output, Canon has introduced a nationwide after-sales service and repair operation. Covering cameras as well as printers, the service addresses a huge unmet demand in the Chinese market.

With an uncompromising commitment to image quality, Canon's future as a highly trusted brand in China looks bright.

Advanced printing solution

The imageRUNNER ADVANCE in a FedEx Office Print and Ship Center delivers enhanced technology to customers.

FedEx Office has over 1,800 locations in the United States and Canada.

Canon's imaging technology opens doors for new, innovative options for customers.

For FedEx Office, it is critical to work with suppliers who understand the environment of their printing and shipping business as well as the growing needs of their customers. By aligning with Canon, FedEx Office has been able to transition from using machines from several different providers to providing state-of-the-art equipment, including the imageRUNNER ADVANCE, from a single-source provider. This results in a consistent, convenient experience across more than 1,800 FedEx Office locations in the U.S. and Canada, further strengthening the value of the entire FedEx Office network. The new Canon machines have helped create more consistency in FedEx Office centers and opened doors for new, innovative options for the company's customers. Both the FedEx Office network and its customers benefit from enhanced technology, consistency, capacity, efficiency and ease of use. Since the Canon machines require less set-up time and maintenance, FedEx Office team members have more time for consulting with customers on projects, which is critical to providing outstanding customer service. Some of the significant advantages of the new machines include remote printing, automated meter reads, service monitoring and remote configuration.

FedEx Office's alliance with Canon offers tremendous opportunities to introduce new leading-edge technologies. It ties directly to the company's access strategy—which is to make it easy for customers to bring their ideas to life by improving how they access solutions in FedEx Office stores and online.

Canon Green Library for Kids

Giving books a second life and children the education they deserve.

Children in Cao Thuong eagerly unpack and begin reading newly arrived textbooks and children's books.

Books were donated to an elementary school in Cao Thuong, a three-hour drive from Hanoi.

Excited children enthusiastically help unload the books and bookshelves.

Even within fast-growing Asia, Vietnam attracts special attention for its amazing development. Yet, due to historical weaknesses in industry and pockets of underdeveloped infrastructure, many areas of Vietnam have struggled economically.

Cao Thuong village, for instance, lacked the resources to provide textbooks to all of its elementary and junior high school students. But thanks to the efforts of Canon and the goodwill of people around the country, Cao Thuong's fortunes changed with the arrival of 4,000 textbooks.

Eyes agleam, children opened the books right away. It was a special moment for them, and Canon, too. Named the Canon Green Library for Kids, it marked a crowning achievement in Canon CSR.

Canon launched the Green Library as an environmental project in which people in cities could exchange their old books for eco-friendly shopping bags. The initiative yielded some 59,000 books, which have been distributed in lots of 4,000, along with bookshelves, to ten schools. Raising children's environmental awareness is another of the Green Library's aims. To that end, Canon distributes small photo books depicting Vietnam's beautiful natural scenery.

Indebted to the local communities in which the company operates, Canon expresses its appreciation through its CSR activities. In Vietnam, the focus is on the younger generations. Canon CSR activities also include support for the building of schools, volunteer projects in which the company's employees help repair school facilities and plant trees, and donations of school supplies.

At the heart of Canon CSR is the hope that the company's ongoing efforts may help nurture the next generation of leaders.

Corporate activities

Striving to enrich lives by creating the best products possible while reducing environmental impact through technological innovation.

1. Research and Development / Design

More convenience. More comfort. Canon opens doors to the future and brings innovation to people's lives

Increased beauty and precision. Greater speed and efficiency. Lower environmental impact.Canon's technological innovations enable people to make use of a variety of images and information to freely express and reproduce their ideas and thoughts, anytime, anywhere.

Blue Surface Emitting Laser (SEL)

2. Procurement / Production / Distribution

Striving for the most rational production means reducing waste in materials and time to virtually zero, while raising performance and quality Pursuing the ultimate in craftsmanship. With

the comprehensive use of IT, Canon has implemented the real-time central management of all operations, from development and production to sales and service. Doing away with all unnecessary inventories, Canon ensures the timely delivery of superior-quality products to customers around the world.

“Man-Machine Cells,” with automated systems between workers, represent an evolution of the cell production system (Canon Hi-tech, Thailand).

Nagasaki Canon (Japan)

Automated Production Systems

Automated production of toner cartridges

Canon is currently building automated production lines capable of running nonstop every day of the year. Design, production technology, and manufacturing expertise combine through the sharing of experience and know-how to establish entirely automated production systems with increasingly enhanced quality and stability.

About Toner Cartridge Production System Interview with the Developers

In-House Production

Production of image sensors

With the dual aim of product innovation and cost reduction, Canon conducts in-house development and production of proprietary key components and devices. In addition, functional parts, circuit boards and other major components, molds and manufacturing equipment are produced within the Canon Group.

About the In-house Production of Chemical Components

Cell Production

Canon Suzhou (China)

Canon factories worldwide use the cell production system, which eliminates conveyor belt assembly lines in favor of small teams, or “cells,” of workers that handle multiple procedures to complete a product. The system allows workers to change the number of procedures they perform according to skill level while also facilitating adjustments in production output.

PO (Purchase Order)-Based Production System

Checking status through the PO system

This system enables the manufacturing of products in precise lots according to purchase orders. Unlike in forecast-based production, only the number of parts needed per order are acquired and assembled into

products. There is no surplus production. PO-based production is made possible by IT that closely aligns parts-procurement, production, and sales operations.

The Expert (Multi-Skilled Worker) System

Super-grade expert

Canon's Expert System recognizes employees with exceptional work skills. Workers are evaluated based on the number of operations they can perform, specialized knowledge, work speed, and other abilities. The system contributes to improvements in cell production quality and increased productivity.

The Master Craftsman System

The Master Craftsman System

A master craftsman working on a mold

At Canon, employees with exceptional skill who have received awards from public institutes are acknowledged as master craftsmen. At present, 32 master craftsmen apply their superior skills to lens polishing, precision machining, and other processes, while passing along their unique knowledge to the next generation.

Green Procurement

Onsite verification at a green procurement facility

Green Procurement prioritizes the purchase of products with minimal environmental burden. Canon regularly evaluates the chemical substance management of its parts suppliers and includes that as a condition of doing

business. Furthermore, by thoroughly examining the chemical composition of parts, Canon makes “greener” choices in products.

About the Green Procurement

Modal Shift

Railroad transportation in Europe

To lower the environmental burden due to CO2 emissions, Canon employs modal shift—switching from truck-and air-based transport to rail-and sea-based transportation, worldwide. Other initiatives to reduce the environmental costs of transportation include shortening the transportation distances to ports and improving load efficiency.

About Reducing CO 2

3.Sales and Marketing /Post-Purchase Services

“I'm glad it's a Canon.” Canon's services and solutions enable customers to easily make use of leading-edge technologies Canon sales companies worldwide do more than conventional sales and marketing. They also use leading-edge information and communication technology to connect consumers to the latest products, services and tailored solutions. As members of the Canon family in over 180 countries and regions, they build trust and keep Canon's reputation for reliability strong.

Canon Information Technology Services, Inc. maintains call centers in the U.S. and Canada.

Camera shop in Prague, Czech

Global Sales Framework

Each of Canon's regional marketing headquarters— Canon U.S.A., Canon Europe, Canon China, Canon Australia, and Canon Marketing Japan — oversees its own regional sales and cooperates closely with Japan-based product development teams to reflect customer comments in Canon products.

Solutions Business

Solutions Business

A photo business solution (Singapore)

To meet the needs of customers and their challenges, such as business expansion and process improvement, security, and cost savings, Canon provides IT and print solutions. Canon works to understand each customer's viewpoint, no matter the industry, and strives to meet every request on a personal basis.

Canon Managed Document Services

Sodexo (France)

Canon optimizes the document output environments of businesses large and small to offer comprehensive services, which include the deployment of equipment and the effective management of document input-output environments. With Canon's worldwide services, companies discover significant cost savings and productivity gains.

PHOTOPRESSO

This new idea in online service allows customers to create their own stylish photobooks from digital photos. The system makes it easy to choose attractive binding and layouts, and offers both web publishing and order delivery to friends. Currently available in Japan, PHOTOPRESSO is scheduled to roll out globally soon.

Canon Business Solutions

Network MFDs service training

Canon Business Solutions in the U.S. provides direct sales of business machines through 70 offices. In cooperation with Océ, a recent addition to the Canon Group, Canon Business Solutions is growing and delivering higher quality solutions to U.S. customers.

Canon Business Solutions, Inc. Website

IT Outsourcing Business

Remote operation center

Canon Marketing Japan provides one-stop support for the outsourcing of IT systems operations and data center services, spanning all processes from installation to operation. To expand the capacity and range of services, the company plans to complete a large new leading-edge data center by 2012.

Enhanced Sales Framework in Emerging Markets

A commercial printing exhibition in Moscow

To better serve emerging markets in Asia, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa, Canon is strengthening sales capabilities in each region. The company's efforts include the introduction of products designed for local needs, participation in regional exhibitions, and reinforcement of service training.

Quick Service Stations (QSS)

Xi'an QSS (China)

Knowing how important after-sales support is to Chinese customers, as of the end of 2010, Canon China established a total of 21 Quick Service Stations (QSS) and Quick Response & Repair Centers (QRC) for digital cameras, inkjet printers, and other Canon products.

4.Environment / Quality

Colorfully enriching lives today with consideration for tomorrow's earth. Striving to

enrich both lifestyles and the global environment.

Canon continuously strives to bring new innovation and value to the world while reducing the use of resources and impact on the environment. Naturally, as a cornerstone of the activities supporting the Canon brand, there is never any compromise in the commitment to quality.

The PIXMA MG6100-series multifunction inkjet printer offers advanced environmental performance.

A pond neighboring Oita Canon is inhabited by Oita salamander hynobius dunni.

Action for Green

Canon's Action for Green environmental vision is a detailed action plan targeting activities throughout the product lifecycle — produce, use, recycle — with the aim of producing high-performance products and minimizing environmental impact. Progress in the plan is managed through the PDCA (plan-do-check-act) process.

About Canon's “Action for Green” Environmental Vision

Bio-Based Plastic

The imagePRESS C7010VP digital production press

The use of plant-derived bio-based plastic reduces oil consumption and CO2 emissions in manufacturing. Canon first used bio-based plastic in exterior parts for imageRUNNER ADVANCE digital multifunction devices. In 2010, Canon was the industry's most prolific user of the material for digital production printer exterior parts.

About the Bio-Based Plastics About Design for the Environment

Environmental Activities at Production Sites

Equipment for collecting and recycling solvent

Canon conducts environmentally friendly manufacturing worldwide, conserving energy and resources, and controlling chemical substances. The company replaced its lens-washing solvent with one with lesser environmental impact, which is collected and recycled, and continuously seeks solutions to preserve local ecosystems and biodiversity.

About the Environmental Activities at Operational Sites

Energy-Saving Technology for Inkjet Printers

The PIXMA MG6100-series multifunction inkjet printer

Canon multifunction inkjet printers feature the latest technology for optimizing energy use during printing and in standby mode.Compared to the previous model,* the PIXMA MG6100 series lowers daily power consumption by approximately 28% without sacrificing speed or image quality.

* PIXMA MP610

Toner Cartridge Recycling

Industrial Resource Technologies (U.S.A.)

Canon has been involved in the collection and recycling of laser printer toner cartridges for over 20 years.Parts that can be reused are washed, inspected and put back into production. Plastic parts are pulverized and recycled for use in new cartridges. And other parts that can be recycled are separated so that they do not go to waste.

About the Toner Cartridge Recycling

Verifying Product Compatibility

Canon continuously tests its products to verify product compatibility and provide satisfaction to customers. For example, inkjet printers and digital cameras undergo compatibility tests with other companies' computers and peripherals.

Quality Verification Testing

Semi-anechoic chamber (Tamagawa General Measurement Testing Laboratory)

Canon conducts stringent tests to ensure product safety and reliability. In state-of-the-art facilities, which have received ISO/IEC and UL authorized certification, products undergo comprehensive testing for noise, flammability, and more. By opting for in-house testing at its own facilities, Canon ensures speedier feedback to development teams.

How Canon Quality is Realized

Remote Monitoring and Support via Internet

An Internet-based service monitors the operational status of Canon network multifunction devices and laser printers. This service notifies service centers when attention is required such as low toner level. With this system, service engineers are able to provide service more effectively and rapidly to customers.

5.Social and Cultural Support Activities

Canon contributes to culture and society by promoting CSR activities based on the

company's corporate philosophy of kyosei.

Aiming to be an admired and respected company worldwide, Canon views CSR activities as a natural part of being a good corporate citizen. The company continues to support a wide range of such activities, including programs to protect the environment, events to promote arts, and more, all for the many stakeholders around the world who support Canon everyday.

Canon PhotoMarathons held annually in Asia promote the enjoyment of photography.

A work from Canon's Junior Photographers program, which helps children in Japan learn about the environment through photography

WWF Conservation Partner

Mondweg Elementary School in Vienna, Austria

In 1998, Canon Europe became the first corporate Conservation Partner of WWF (World Wide Fund For Nature). This alliance has enabled WWF to digitize its image library, expanded awareness of the Polar Bear Tracker project, and provided imaging equipment for WWF activities in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

About WWF Conservation Partner About Canon Europe and WWF

Partnership with the Red Cross in Europe

Swiss Red Cross Youth project

A longtime supporter of Red Cross activities, Canon Europe in 2006 signed a partnership agreement with the Red Cross. The company contributes to youth education and aid projects conducted by 16 National Red Cross Societies across Europe through equipment donations and physical support.

About the Partnership with the Red Cross in Europe About Canon Europe and the Red Cross

Yellowstone Park Foundation

Yellowstone National Park

Since 1997, Canon has been the largest supporter of wildlife conservation and research in Yellowstone National Park. Through Web-based programs made for educational purposes, Canon technology has enabled millions of students to learn about nature, while giving the general public unique access to the magic of Yellowstone.

About Yellowstone Park Foundation

Canon Envirothon

An outdoor classroom

Since 1998, Canon U.S.A. has sponsored the Canon Envirothon, the largest environmental science competition for high school students in North America. Each year over 500,000 U.S. and Canadian students participate in the contest, deepening their knowledge of nature and the environment through field work and presentations.

About the Canon Envirothon

Canon PhotoMarathon

A PhotoMarathon in Singapore

In this unique photography competition, participants are assigned specific themes with only a few hours to shoot their photos. Though a Canon-organized event, any camera brand is allowed. In 2010, PhotoMarathons were held across Asia, attracting over 14,000 participants.

About the Canon PhotoMarathon

Green Volunteer Action

Field training of nature photography

Canon organizes a contest for university students to develop ideas on the topic of environmental protection. Held in conjunction with the China Wildlife Conservation Association and other organizations, the event awards those who pass preliminary rounds with the opportunity to attend lectures by professional wildlife photographers in nature reserves.

The Tsuzuri Project (Cultural Heritage Inheritance Project)

Craftwork by Mr. Hiroto Rakusho, a master of gold leaf art

Canon digital technology and traditional Japanese craftsmanship come together in the Tsuzuri Project, an initiative co-organized by NPO Kyoto Culture Association to create high-resolution scale facsimiles of Japanese cultural assets. The project enables original artwork to be preserved, while still allowing the general public to enjoy these works.

About the Tsuzuri Project

Furusato Project – Linking Today's Dreams to the Future

Revitalization of a rural environment

Through this project to sustain the beauty of furusato (hometowns) for future generations, Canon Marketing Japan works with environmental NPOs to cultivate terraced rice-fields and tidelands, recultivate abandoned farmland, and carry out other activities targeting environmental coservation. At present, the project targets 14 areas in Japan.

Canon logo

The name Canon carries such meanings as "holy scripture" and "criterion or standard of judgment." It effectively captures Canon's corporate spirit, which aims to set a global standard for advanced technologies and service while becoming a criterion in the industry to which others will aspire. The Canon logo, introduced in 1935, has undergone several changes as the company has grown. Despite these modifications, the strong character reflected in the sweeping inward stroke of the "C" has remained intact from the day that the company was founded. Striving for consistency in communication since day one has greatly contributed to the worldwide trust that the Canon brand enjoys today.

Origin of logo

1934:Engraving using the image of Kwanon attached to

the "Kwanon" prototype as a motif.

a.

Today, the Canon logo, with its vivid red color, is familiar to people around the world. However, the logo underwent a number of changes before reaching its present form.

In 1933, when Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory was established, the name given to cameras manufactured on a trial basis at the time was Kwanon. This title reflected the benevolence of Kwanon, the

Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, and embodied the Company's vision of creating the best cameras in the world. The logo included the word with an image of "Kwanon with 1,000 Arms" and flames.

When the Company sought to begin full-scale marketing, it needed a brand name that would be accepted by people worldwide. From this standpoint, in 1935 the name Canon was registered as the official trademark. The word Canon has a number of meanings, including scriptures, criterion and standard. The trademark was therefore worthy of a company involved with precision equipment, where accuracy is fundamentally important. It also embodied the Company's desire to meet world-class criteria and industry standards. And since Canon and Kwanon had similar pronunciations, the transition went smoothly.

b. Evolution of logo

A designer specializing in advertising created the original Canon logo in 1935. The "C" was unique in that its top end curved inward, ending in a sharp point. This style of typeface did not then exist in Europe or North America. The Canon name and logo were created to reflect the Company's global perspectives, which it adopted right from the beginning of its history.

Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory underwent several name changes before the adoption of Canon Camera Co., Inc., in 1947. This change was significant in that Canon brand and company names were unified for the first time in its history. Several versions of the logo were also used, until a unified version was created in 1953. After further refinements, the logo used today was perfected in 1955. It has remained unchanged for nearly half a century.

1934

The engraved Kwanon logo was used on cameras trial-manufactured by the Company (but not actually released in the market).

1935

The Canon logo is registered as a trademark. Prominent features were already inherent in the refinement process.

1953

Unification of the logo. The image was further refined to achieve an overall balance.

1956

The current logo was the culmination of painstaking and meticulous design efforts.