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Canon Careers & Info

Current CEO: Fujio Mitarai

Status: Active

Fujio Mitarai, the current CEO, launched the innovative Phase IV of his “Excellent Global Corporation Plan” in 2011. The first three phases of this plan began in 1996 and strengthened the company financially. Phase IV will allow Canon to continue to aim for strong growth within a challenging global business atmosphere by reinforcing global sales capabilities.

Canon began as a small Japanese company working out of an apartment in Tokyo, Japan with a few people intent on creating high quality cameras in 1933.

The dream of creating innovative cameras came true in 1937 when Kwanon, which Canon was known as at the time, introduced the first 35mm focal plane-shutter camera, the Hansa. Kwanon was incorporated in August of 1937, but Hansa was developed by its predecessor company, Precision Optical Research Laboratory in 1933. At the time, most quality cameras were developed in Europe, with Germany as the leader.

Canons’ innovation and diversifying into products other than cameras ultimately became the Canon Inc. goal. Canon soon went on to developing revolutionary innovations such as the first indirect X-ray camera in 1941, diversifying by opening an American branch in New York City in 1955 and establishing a European division in Geneva, Switzerland in 1957. Ten years later, Canon topped 50 percent of exports in total sales.

Canon developed the philosophy of kyosei in 1988, which is incorporated as the Canon Culture. This philosophy simply means living and working together for the common good. Shortly thereafter, canon began promoting environmentally sound business practices and sponsored global environmental organizations with environment-friendly products by qualifying 100 percent of their products to Energy Star specifications. Canon benefits to employees include constant training, which allows the employee to gain the skills needed and sharpening skill the employee has.

Employees working at Canon are expected to uphold the Canon culture and to contribute to Canons’ goals in business in upholding the kyosei philosophy. Canon encourages employees to work for their favorite charities or become active in charities the company supports.

Those hoping for Canon careers should know the company expects much. Canon requires long hours and some company training needs to be completed at home. Canon recruits directly and is always looking for highly professional employees, especially those with a technical education that is innovative and provides the market with the best in digital technologies.