At Canon, we believe sound growth is predicated on strengthening our primary businesses. With innovative and attractive industry-leading products, and an emphasis on highly profitable solutions and services, we aim to achieve the overwhelming No. 1 position in each of our primary businesses. At the same time, we continue to grow 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, we had made Japan the center for innovation, promoting business development and diversification.
Now, however, we are 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 our Three Regional Headquarters management system.

Canon optimizes productivity by diversifying production facilities worldwide. With the aim of achieving rational production in terms of product quality and cost, we comprehensively assess such factors as distribution, parts procurement, labor, and risk. Production is further enhanced through the 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 our global sales structure accordingly. In Europe and the U.S., for instance, we are strengthening our services and solutions sales force and deepening our partnership with Océ N.V. In Asia, we focus 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. We employ 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 of our corporate activities, Canon undertakes efforts to reduce burden on the environment.

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