Canon believes sound growth is predicated on strengthening its primary businesses. With innovative and attractive industry-leading products, and an emphasis on highly profitable solutions and services, Canon aims to achieve the overwhelming No.1 position in each of its primary businesses. At the same time, the company continues to grow its secondary businesses in related areas such as network cameras and the retail photo segment.

Canon has intensified efforts to strengthen two new business domains: medical imaging and intelligent robots for automated production. To date, the company had made Japan its center for innovation, promoting business development and diversification. Now, however, Canon is looking to M&A and other methods to achieve innovation in the U.S. and Europe as well, creating a global R&D framework based on its Three Regional Headquarters management system.

Canon optimizes productivity by diversifying its production facilities worldwide. With the aim of achieving rational production in terms of product quality and cost, the company comprehensively assesses such factors as distribution, parts procurement, labor, and risk. Production is further enhanced by Canon's in-house production of tools, materials and technologies, including automated production systems.

As developing and resource-rich economies in Asia, South America and Africa join the ranks of the world's growth centers, Canon continuously assesses trends and aligns its global sales structure accordingly. In Europe and the U.S., for instance, Canon is strengthening its services and solutions sales force and deepening its partnership with Océ N.V. In Asia, the company focuses on the Chinese market while expanding sales in ASEAN countries.

As an environmentally progressive company, Canon pursues environmental conservation hand in hand with business growth. The company employs technologies that support energy savings and resource conservation through every stage of the product lifecycle— from initial design and production to eventual recycling. In all its corporate activities, Canon undertakes efforts to reduce burden on the environment.

The enterprising spirit at the heart of Canon has enabled the company to continuously transform itself over many decades. This is reflected in Canon's guiding principles—the San-ji (Three Selfs) Spirit—which have been passed down since its founding. Today, Canon actively works to maintain a corporate culture that values transformation. At the same time, the company's international training programs help to develop personnel befitting a truly excellent global company.