Investment in NEC TOKIN (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 12, 2012
Adjustments:
Equity income (loss) from NEC TOKIN	$ (16,406)	$ (2,169)	$ (7,090)
NECTOKIN
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
NEC TOKIN net income (loss)	(42,995)	(24,091)	(42,937)
Equity Method Investment, Equity Income (Loss) Before Adjustments	(14,618)	(8,191)	(14,599)
Adjustments:
Amortization and depreciation	(1,625)	(2,270)	(1,390)
Gain on sale of long-lived assets adjustment	0	0	(5,998)
Loss on impairment of long-lived assets adjustment	0	0	14,643
Inventory valuation adjustment	0	0	254
Equity Method Investment, Indemnity Asset Change	0	(8,500)	0
Equity Method investment, Purchase Price Adjustment, Inventory Profit Elimination	(163)	(208)	0
Equity income (loss) from NEC TOKIN	$ (16,406)	$ (2,169)	$ (7,090)
KEMET Electronics Corporation [Member] | Stock Purchase Agreement [Member] | NECTOKIN
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
KEMET's equity ownership %	34.00%			34.00%