Copier sales slide knocks Canon

Canon makes cameras, printers and copiers

Canon has announced a fall in profits of more than 50% despite digital camera sales holding up well in the downturn.

The company is blaming a 22% drop in overall sales on a reduced demand for new photocopiers.

Net profit between July and September was 36.7bn yen ($399m; £244m), down by 54% on the 83bn yen the company made in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Toshiba says it expects to earn a first-half operating profit thanks to cost cutting.

The Japanese technology giant is expecting to have earned an operating profit of 2bn yen in the six months to September, instead of a previously forecast loss of 30bn yen.

Toshiba says it has cut costs in its microchips, digital media and power systems operations.

The company now expects its annual net loss to be about 58bn yen, 28% smaller than a previously forecast loss of 80bn yen.

Toshiba is due to announce its full interim results on Friday.