Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Details 1) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012 USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2007-11 [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2007-11 [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2008-06 [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2008-06 [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2007-03 [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2007-03 [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2008-02 [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2008-02 [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2010-04 [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2010-04 [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2011-01 [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2011-01 [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2011-11 [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2011-11 [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-03 [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Partners Ltd [Member] FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-03 [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Forward Ltd [Member] FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2011-11 [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Forward Ltd [Member] FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2011-11 [Member] JPY (¥)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Ventures [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Flash Ventures [Member] JPY (¥)	Jan. 01, 2012 Flash Ventures [Member] USD ($)
Company's portion of the remaining guarantee obligations under each of Flash Ventures' master lease facilities
Lease Agreement Type				Original	Original	Original	Original			Original	Original	Original	Original	Refinanced	Refinanced	Refinanced	Refinanced	Refinanced	Refinanced	Refinanced	Refinanced	Original	Original
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases	$ 736,564	$ 271,386	¥ 22,300,000	$ 107,862	¥ 8,900,000	$ 163,524	¥ 13,400,000	$ 262,978	¥ 21,700,000	$ 25,039	¥ 2,100,000	$ 21,620	¥ 1,800,000	$ 27,024	¥ 2,200,000	$ 46,908	¥ 3,900,000	$ 102,266	¥ 8,400,000	$ 40,121	¥ 3,300,000	$ 202,200	¥ 16,600,000	$ 736,564	¥ 60,600,000	$ 732,000
Lease Expiration (year)				2013	2013	2013	2013			2012	2012	2013	2013	2014	2014	2014	2014	2014	2014	2015	2015	2016	2016