Canon U.S.A. to Sponsor the 2012 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the sponsorship of the 2012 Centennial National Cherry Blossom Festival, a five-week celebration from March 20 – April 27, 2012. The sponsorship of this prestigious event designates Canon as a Centennial Host Committee Leadership Circle member. In addition, Canon is the Principal Sponsor of the Canon Performance Stage at Sylvan Theater on the Washington Monument grounds, where diverse talent from all over the world will perform varied genres of music and dance. Canon is also a Supporting Sponsor of the Festival's Neighborhood Tree Planting Program, which will plant cherry blossom trees throughout the District of Columbia.

“Canon is honored to support the National Cherry Blossom Festival, as this year's event marks the 100-year anniversary of the gift of trees,” said Joe Adachi, President and CEO, Canon U.S.A. “We are so proud to be a part of such a wonderful and meaningful celebration of beauty in nature and the close ties between the United States and Japan.”

Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, D.C. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries.

With strong roots and the ability to survive the elements, the trees have withstood the test of time – and a century later, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is preparing for the 100^th anniversary celebration of the original gift. Each year, more than a million people visit Washington, D.C. to admire the blossoming cherry trees and attend events that herald the beginning of spring in the nation's capital.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. CAJ, ranks third overall in patent holdings in the U.S. in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2011. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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