Japan’s industrial robot orders show first YoY increase in eight quarters (Jul-Sep 2024)

On October 24, 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 third quarter of 2024 (July-September). 

The total amount of orders reached 176.2 billion yen, up 9.4% year-on-year (YoY), while the number of units ordered increased 2.0% to 41,013 units. There were signs of recovery in several categories, including electronic component assembly machines, which showed signs of bottoming out, and articulated robots, which began to recover. As a result, both the value and number of orders increased for the first time in eight quarters. 

Production value trends 

Production value, however, decreased 8.4% YoY to 171.7 billion yen, continuing a downward trend for the sixth consecutive quarter. 

Overall shipment trends 

The total shipment value also decreased by 5.8% YoY to 181.0 billion yen, while the number of units shipped decreased by 10.3% YoY to 43,283 units. Total shipment value and volume have now declined for six and seven consecutive quarters, respectively. Domestically, shipments to the electrical machinery sector declined, while the automotive sector grew, driven by demand for welding robots. 

Export Trends 

Exports also declined, with export value down 10.6% YoY to 130.8 billion yen and export volume down 15.8% YoY to 32,359 units. While exports of material handling robots and spot welding robots declined significantly, demand for robots used in electronic component placement and semiconductor applications increased substantially. Regionally, demand in Asia showed signs of recovery, while shipments to Europe and the Americas continued to decline.