Japan’s industrial robot orders show signs of recovery: Q2 orders up 13.7% from previous quarter

On July 25, the Japan Robot Association (JARA, chaired by Yasuhiko Hashimoto, President and CEO of Kawasaki Heavy Industries) released its member-based figures for new orders and production of industrial robots for the second quarter of 2024 (April to June). 

Increase in orders for industrial robots 

Although the total amount of new orders was JPY 179.8 billion, down 8.6% from the same period last year, it was up 13.7% from the previous quarter (January to March 2024), marking the first increase in nine quarters. The increase in demand for assembly machines and signs of recovery in certain applications have been contributors to this positive trend. 

Production value trends 

Production also declined 12.9% year-on-year (YoY) to JPY 176.3 billion, continuing a five-quarter streak of declines. However, it increased by 8.4% from the previous quarter, marking the first increase in seven quarters. 

Overall shipment trends 

The total value of shipments decreased by 18.3% YoY to JPY 166.9 billion, and the total number of shipments decreased by 29.4% YoY to 37,777 units. This was the fifth consecutive quarter of decline in shipment value and the sixth consecutive quarter of decline in shipment number. Domestically, shipments to the electrical machinery sector decreased, while shipments to the automotive sector increased. 

Export Trends 

The total export value decreased by 22.6% YoY to JPY 125.3 billion, while the number of units exported decreased by 34.7% YoY to 29,112 units. Exports of material handling robots and spot welding robots to Asia, Europe and North America decreased significantly, while exports of assembly machines increased, particularly to China. This was the first export value increase for assembly robots in ten quarters and the first increase for semiconductor robots in five quarters.